Maurice's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Maurice Nesbitt was born in Bramley near Leeds in 1898, the son of Elizabeth Ann and John Nesbitt, a railway loco foreman. In 1901 two-year-old Maurice was living at 22 Middle Cross St, Armley, Leeds with his parents and brothers John (8), Frank (7), Ralph (3) and Robert (4).
By 1911 Maurice’s father had died and the family had moved to 68 Crossall St, Macclesfield, where his mother ran a grocery and provision business with her sister, Mary Jane Cooper.
Maurice's mother later lived at 37 Beech Lane, Macclesfield.
WW1 SERVICE
Maurice was conscripted at Macclesfield on 1st February 1917, at the age of eighteen, joining ‘A’ Company of the 23rd Battalion (T.F.), Royal Welsh Fusiliers; at the time of conscription he was employed as a silk embroiderer. He was described in his army records as 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 115lbs with a chest measurement of 32 inches.
For his course of basic training Maurice was posted to Mundesley, Norfolk. On the 9th April 1917, just over two months after conscription, he was found in his billet in a pool of blood: he had cut his throat with a razor. His army record states “he committed suicide during a fit of temporary insanity”.
For his course of basic training Maurice was posted to Mundesley, Norfolk. On the 9th April 1917, just over two months after conscription, he was found in his billet in a pool of blood: he had cut his throat with a razor. His army record states “he committed suicide during a fit of temporary insanity”.
Maurice's death was reported in the Eastern Evening News on 10 April 1917:
TRAGEDY AT MUNDESLEY - A painful discovery was made at Mundesley early on Monday, when Private Maurice Nesbitt of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, on being called by some comrades, was found dead with his throat cut. A razor was lying nearby. The deceased was about 18 years of age and came from Macclesfield.
The inquest into his death was reported in the East Suffolk Gazette on 17 April 1917:
TRAGEDY AT MUNDESLEY - An inquest was held by the County Coroner... at the Manor House Hotel, Mundesley, on the body of Private Maurice Nesbitt (18), Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was found dead with his throat cut. He joined the Army about nine weeks ago. Private John Albert Watson said he slept in the same room as the deceased. So far as witness knew Private Nesbitt had had a good night's rest, but in the morning he thought deceased seemed rather reticent and disinclined to talk. He was very much surprised when he heard later that deceased had been found with his throat cut.... On 31st March Lieut. Buckland requested [Dr. Quait] to examine the deceased and report on his mental condition as he had been found wandering on the cliffs.... the conclusion that he arrived at was that the deceased was of a somewhat morose and taciturn nature as he could get nothing out of him... Lieut. Buckland said he questioned the deceased as to his having been found on the cliffs and could not get an answer at first. Private Nesbitt afterwards remarked that he was thinking of throwing himself over. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during a fit of temporary insanity."
It is very unfortunate that, having discovered Maurice Nesbitt was very depressed and considering suicide, his superiors did not do more to help him; but perhaps in those days people suffering from deep depression did not receive the sympathy and assistance that is more often available now.
A report of Maurice's interment was printed in the Norfolk Chronicle on 20 April 1917:
THE LATE PTE. NESBITT - The remains of the late Pte. Nesbitt, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who met his death under tragic circumstances, were interred in the Churchyard on Wednesday, last week. The mourners were the deceased's two brothers, and the service was conducted by the Rector of Mundesley (the Rev T. Tegg Harvey). The "Last Post" was sounded at the graveside.
Maurice's mother received his ‘death plaque’ on 10th November 1920. Maurice was not awarded medals since he did not serve overseas.
TRAGEDY AT MUNDESLEY - A painful discovery was made at Mundesley early on Monday, when Private Maurice Nesbitt of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, on being called by some comrades, was found dead with his throat cut. A razor was lying nearby. The deceased was about 18 years of age and came from Macclesfield.
The inquest into his death was reported in the East Suffolk Gazette on 17 April 1917:
TRAGEDY AT MUNDESLEY - An inquest was held by the County Coroner... at the Manor House Hotel, Mundesley, on the body of Private Maurice Nesbitt (18), Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was found dead with his throat cut. He joined the Army about nine weeks ago. Private John Albert Watson said he slept in the same room as the deceased. So far as witness knew Private Nesbitt had had a good night's rest, but in the morning he thought deceased seemed rather reticent and disinclined to talk. He was very much surprised when he heard later that deceased had been found with his throat cut.... On 31st March Lieut. Buckland requested [Dr. Quait] to examine the deceased and report on his mental condition as he had been found wandering on the cliffs.... the conclusion that he arrived at was that the deceased was of a somewhat morose and taciturn nature as he could get nothing out of him... Lieut. Buckland said he questioned the deceased as to his having been found on the cliffs and could not get an answer at first. Private Nesbitt afterwards remarked that he was thinking of throwing himself over. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during a fit of temporary insanity."
It is very unfortunate that, having discovered Maurice Nesbitt was very depressed and considering suicide, his superiors did not do more to help him; but perhaps in those days people suffering from deep depression did not receive the sympathy and assistance that is more often available now.
A report of Maurice's interment was printed in the Norfolk Chronicle on 20 April 1917:
THE LATE PTE. NESBITT - The remains of the late Pte. Nesbitt, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who met his death under tragic circumstances, were interred in the Churchyard on Wednesday, last week. The mourners were the deceased's two brothers, and the service was conducted by the Rector of Mundesley (the Rev T. Tegg Harvey). The "Last Post" was sounded at the graveside.
Maurice's mother received his ‘death plaque’ on 10th November 1920. Maurice was not awarded medals since he did not serve overseas.
COMMEMORATION
Private Maurice Nesbitt is buried in the North-West corner of Mundesley (All Saints) Churchyard, Norfolk, England. His mother asked for a cross and the words NOW THE LABOURER'S TASK IS O'ER to be added to his headstone.
In Macclesfield, Private Maurice Nesbitt is commemorated on the Christ Church School war memorial.
NOTES
Brother of Frank and Ralph Cooper Nesbitt, who both served with the Royal Navy and survived the war; Robert William Nesbitt, who served as Private 30992, 1/5 Lancashire Fusiliers and was killed in action in Belgium in September 1917; and John Moxon Nesbitt, who was a conscientious objector and undertook farm work during the war.
SOURCES
GRO (England & Wales) Index: Births
Census (England & Wales): 1901, 1911
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
WWI British Army Service Records 1914-1920
Eastern Evening News: 10 April 1917
East Suffolk Gazette: 17 April 1917
Norfolk Chronicle: 20 April 1917
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Eastern Evening News: 10 April 1917
East Suffolk Gazette: 17 April 1917
Norfolk Chronicle: 20 April 1917
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.