Ernest Joseph Nessling was born on 31 August 1887 in Marylebone, Middlesex (now Greater London), the youngest of the four children of Lewes Charles Nessling (1852-1895) and Maria Nessling, née Cole (1853-1928). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1887 in the Marylebone Registration District. On 13 November 1887 he was baptised at St Mary's Church, Bryanston Square, Marylebone, where in the baptismal register his date of birth was confirmed, that his family were shown as living at 102 East Street, Marylebone and that his father was an engineer.
The 1891 census shows him as aged 3 years and living in two rooms at 4 Harcourt Street, Marylebone, London, with his parents and his three siblings: Minnie Harriett Nessling (1876-1960); Lewes Charles Nessling (1877-1923) who was listed as an office boy and Edith Jane Nessling (1885-1973). His father was described as a hot water fitter.
When the 1901 census was undertaken he was recorded as aged 13 years and living in three rooms at 2 Seymour Place, Marylebone, with his widowed mother, who was performing daily domestic work, together with his three siblings: Minnie Harriell Nessling - a dressmaker; Lewes Charles Nessling - a mechanical engineer and Edith Jane Nessling - a dyers shop assistant.
The shows that he was appointed as a Postman in London. In October 1907 he was transferred to the Western District Office.
When his mother completed her 1911 census return form she showed him as aged 23 years, single and a postman residing with her in three rooms at 34 Woburn House, Homer Street, Marylebone, together with Minnie Harriett Nessling - a refreshment bar assistant and Edith Jane Nessling - a dyers and cleaners shop assistant
He joined the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment, service number G/26176 and was serving in their 13th Battalion when he was killed in action on 31 August 1916, his 29th birthday. As he has no known grave he is of the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Rue de l'Ancre, 80300 Thiepval, France.
On 23 July 1917 the Royal Mail sent his £100-1s-2d gratuity for his 8 years and 10 months service in the Post Office to his mother. On 27 October 1917 probate, with a will, was granted to his mother and his effects amounted to £222-1s-5d. On 28 January 1918 she was also sent his £2-3s-5d army effects and on 23 October 1919 his £3-0s-0d war gratuity. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He is shown as 'NESSLING, E. J.' on the Western Postal District war memorial in Mount Pleasant, London, WC1. He is also commemorated on the , on the , on the , on the, on the and on .
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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