839155 Sgt. Nelson Ross Crowe, MM was born in Markdale, Ontario, on August 6th, 1898, to George and Christina Crowe. The couple also had a daughter, Mable.
Working as a butcher in Owen Sound, Nelson attested into the 147th Battalion on October 5th, 1916.
Nelson was one of 354 men of the 147th Battalion who served with the 4th C.M.R, being taken on strength with the regiment in April 1917.
Soon after Vimy Ridge Nelson obtained the rank of Sergeant and was subsequently wounded near Mericourt on September 6th, 1917, while the unit was in trenches there.
Nelson was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in August 1918, during the operations around the Cambrai area. The Sun Times of May 1919 recounts:
"It was August last when all the officers and NCO's of his platoon became casualties and the platoon disorganized, he rallied the men and some from other units in the immediate neighbourhood and carried on the attack against all kinds of fire until the battalion was relieved the next day."
Struck off strength on May 24th, 1919, Nelson returned to Canada and having married Ilma King, later passed away at 62 years of age, on May 5th, 1961.
Nelson Ross Crowe MM lies at rest in Bayview Cemetery, Wiarton, Ontario.
Biography credit: great great niece Aimee Robison (also image) and 147th BN researcher, George Auer, with thanks.