Edward Radcliffe-Nash
Encyclopedia
Edward Radcliffe-Nash was a British
horse rider
who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics
.
, and Constance, daughter of John Radcliffe of Moorfield Withington, JP.
Educated at Mr. Bulls Preparatory School, Westgate on Sea (1898–1902), Eton
(1902 – July 1905) and Sandhurst Military College into which he passed the entrance exams on August 15, 1905 with the position of 119 from a cadetship of 196 receiving 7,838 marks. He commenced his period at Sandhurst Military College in September 1905.
Edward Radcliffe Nash left Eton at the earliest possible moment (giving up all that Eton could give him over the next two years) to enroll at Sandhurst to enable him to gain seniority in the Army.
In July 1906 Edward Radcliffe Nash graduated from Sandhurst Military College with the position of 87 from 218 cadets. On August 29, 1906, Edward Radcliffe Nash was gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant into the 16th Lancers and joined his Regiment
on October 3, 1906. He was promoted to Lieutenant
on January 15, 1909 and Captain
on October 10, 1914. Edward Radcliffe Nash qualified at the School of Musketry in their examinations on October 14, 1910.
He went to France with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in August 1914. He took part in the retreat from Mons
, the battles of the Marne
, the Aisne
and the First Battle of Ypres
. He was killed in action near Ypres on February 21, 1915, when the 16th Lancers suffered severely through the blowing up of a trench. At the time of his death he was acting Adjutant of his Regiment. Captain Edward Radcliffe Nash was mentioned in Lord John French’s Dispatches of 8 October 1914 (London Gazette October 19, 1914).
Whilst at Sandhurst he proved himself to be a remarkable athlete, winning against competitors considerably older than himself in the equivalent of the “Victor Ludorum” cup. After joining the 16th Lancers he ran twice in the Army Championship for the mile, being second on both occasions with practically no training. However he devoted himself to riding. He was well known at Olympia and represented Britain at the Stockholm Olympic Games
in 1912. He did not finish the Individual eventing (Military)
competition, also the British team did not finish the team event
. However in the individual jumping event
he finished 29th on The Flea.
He was first and second in successive years at the Grafton Pont-to-Point, won his Regimental Light Weight Steeplechase on two occasions and was “placed” at a number of other meetings at which he rode.
In De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour 1914–1924 it is said that : -
“As conspicuous for dash, energy and endurance in War as in sport, he was the ideal cavalry officer and appeared to have a distinguished career before him. His exuberant vitality found expression in all that he said or did, and one who knew him well, observed on hearing that he had been killed: “Of all the deaths in this war, his death is the hardest to realise”.”
Captain Edward Radcliffe Nash is buried in the Ypres Town Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
, Row G, Grave 4.
Captain Edward Radcliffe Nash had a younger brother, Llewellyn Charles Nash (a Captain in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps) who died of wounds on September 28, 1915.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
horse rider
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics
1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
.
Education and military Career
Born in London on June 9, 1888 to Lieut-Colonel Edward Nash JP (Late Essex Regiment) of Ballycartee, Tralee, Co. KerryCounty Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
, and Constance, daughter of John Radcliffe of Moorfield Withington, JP.
Educated at Mr. Bulls Preparatory School, Westgate on Sea (1898–1902), Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
(1902 – July 1905) and Sandhurst Military College into which he passed the entrance exams on August 15, 1905 with the position of 119 from a cadetship of 196 receiving 7,838 marks. He commenced his period at Sandhurst Military College in September 1905.
Edward Radcliffe Nash left Eton at the earliest possible moment (giving up all that Eton could give him over the next two years) to enroll at Sandhurst to enable him to gain seniority in the Army.
In July 1906 Edward Radcliffe Nash graduated from Sandhurst Military College with the position of 87 from 218 cadets. On August 29, 1906, Edward Radcliffe Nash was gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant into the 16th Lancers and joined his Regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
on October 3, 1906. He was promoted to Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
on January 15, 1909 and Captain
Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)
Captain is a junior officer rank of the British Army and Royal Marines. It ranks above Lieutenant and below Major and has a NATO ranking code of OF-2. The rank is equivalent to a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and to a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force...
on October 10, 1914. Edward Radcliffe Nash qualified at the School of Musketry in their examinations on October 14, 1910.
He went to France with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in August 1914. He took part in the retreat from Mons
Mons
Mons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,...
, the battles of the Marne
Marne
Marne is a department in north-eastern France named after the river Marne which flows through the department. The prefecture of Marne is Châlons-en-Champagne...
, the Aisne
Aisne
Aisne is a department in the northern part of France named after the Aisne River.- History :Aisne is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Île-de-France, Picardie, and Champagne.Most of the old...
and the First Battle of Ypres
First Battle of Ypres
The First Battle of Ypres, also called the First Battle of Flanders , was a First World War battle fought for the strategic town of Ypres in western Belgium...
. He was killed in action near Ypres on February 21, 1915, when the 16th Lancers suffered severely through the blowing up of a trench. At the time of his death he was acting Adjutant of his Regiment. Captain Edward Radcliffe Nash was mentioned in Lord John French’s Dispatches of 8 October 1914 (London Gazette October 19, 1914).
Sporting career
Edward Radcliffe Nash was a splendid all round sportsman. He distinguished himself at Eton as a long distance runner and as a “wet bob”. In 1905 he won the Junior Sculls and stroked his Junior House Four up to “head”, the last time that the colours of Miss Evan’s were seen on the river.Whilst at Sandhurst he proved himself to be a remarkable athlete, winning against competitors considerably older than himself in the equivalent of the “Victor Ludorum” cup. After joining the 16th Lancers he ran twice in the Army Championship for the mile, being second on both occasions with practically no training. However he devoted himself to riding. He was well known at Olympia and represented Britain at the Stockholm Olympic Games
1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
in 1912. He did not finish the Individual eventing (Military)
Equestrian at the 1912 Summer Olympics - Individual eventing
The individual eventing was an equestrian event held as part of the equestrian at the 1912 Summer Olympics programme. It was the first appearance of the event....
competition, also the British team did not finish the team event
Equestrian at the 1912 Summer Olympics - Team eventing
The team eventing was an equestrian event held as part of the Equestrian at the 1912 Summer Olympics programme. It was the first appearance of the event. The team score was simply the sum of the best three scores for each nation in the individual eventing competition.-Results:...
. However in the individual jumping event
Equestrian at the 1912 Summer Olympics - Individual jumping
The individual jumping was an equestrian event held as part of the Equestrian at the 1912 Summer Olympics programme. It was the second appearance of the event, which had first been held at the 1900 Summer Olympics.-Results:...
he finished 29th on The Flea.
He was first and second in successive years at the Grafton Pont-to-Point, won his Regimental Light Weight Steeplechase on two occasions and was “placed” at a number of other meetings at which he rode.
In De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour 1914–1924 it is said that : -
“As conspicuous for dash, energy and endurance in War as in sport, he was the ideal cavalry officer and appeared to have a distinguished career before him. His exuberant vitality found expression in all that he said or did, and one who knew him well, observed on hearing that he had been killed: “Of all the deaths in this war, his death is the hardest to realise”.”
Captain Edward Radcliffe Nash is buried in the Ypres Town Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Row G, Grave 4.
Captain Edward Radcliffe Nash had a younger brother, Llewellyn Charles Nash (a Captain in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps) who died of wounds on September 28, 1915.