Charles Mecklan Nelles CMG

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit at enlistment:

Royal Canadian Dragoons

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Cemetery:

Cremated, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario - No Known Cemetery

Awards or decorations:

Order of St. Michael and St. George, Mentioned in Despatches

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

Niagara on the Lake

Trade or calling:

Estate agent

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Gallantry medals:

Yes

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 29422
Date: January 1, 1916
Honour or Award: Mentioned in Despatches
Name: Nelles, Charles Mecklan (Lieutenant Colonel)
Unit: Royal Canadian Dragoons

London Gazette: 29438
Date: January 14, 1916
Honour or Award: Order of St. Michael and St. George
Name: Nelles, Charles Mecklan (Lieutenant Colonel)
Unit: Royal Canadian Dragoons

BX January 3, 1916

Were Mentioned in Despatches – Lieut.-Cols. M.A. Colquhoun and C.M. Nelles Honored by French.

BX January 14, 1916

Brantford Officers Were Honored for Services – Lieut.-Col. Nelles, C.M.G.; Lieut.-Col. Colquhoun, D.S.O. – Efficiency, Ability and Gallantry Recognized by the King – Worthy Tributes

Lieut.-Col. C.M. Nelles, C.M.G.
Lieut.-Col. M.A. Colquhoun, D.S.O.

Thus will two Brantford officers in the future be known. King George in a long list of honors has recognized the valor of the Canadian First Contingent, and on the leaders in the heroic acts performed by them at St. Julien, Festubert, Givenchy and the Battle of the Orchards, among other events, and these two Brantford officers are among those placed on the special honor list, which is headed by General Alderson, commander of the Canadian division.

Lieut.-Col Charles Mecklan Nelles is a son of Mrs. Cummings Nelles of this city, and was a member of the Canadian permanent force in ante-bellum days. When the war broke out he was appointed to command the Royal Canadian Dragoons of Toronto, a branch of the permanent force and with this body he made for himself and for them a splendid name.

Lieut.-Col. Malcolm Alexander Colquhoun was just Capt. Colquhoun when he left Brantford with 176 members of the Dufferin Rifles, forming the First Contingent of men for the first Canadian overseas force. At Salisbury Plain he was promoted to be major, commanding a company, and he has been with the regiment since that time, never having been wounded, despite the terrific losses that the “Mad Fourth” sustained in the heavy fighting in which they have been. When Lieut.-Col. Labatt was invalided home from wounds with many other officers, he was appointed to the command of the battalion and later was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. Some time ago it was reported here that General Mercer, who was brigadier had recommended him for the D.S.O., but of course it was not known whether this would go through, it being thought that his rapid promotion would counteract any further honors. That he has received the D.S.O., is more than pleasing to his many friends here and is an honor to the city and to the Dufferin Rifles, in which he commanded A. Company up to the time of his departure.

BX September 6, 1916

Recommended For Services

Militia orders for June 1916 contain the following interesting information regarding Brantford officers:

War Office, January 1, the following have been recommended for gallant and distinguished service by Field Marshal Sir John French, at that time commander in chief of the British Army in France:-

Lt.-Col. Charles Mecklan Nelles of the Royal Canadian Dragoons.
Lt.-Col. Malcolm Alexander Colquhoun of the 4th Battalion
Major Ashton Bluett Cutcliffe of the Canadian Forces Staff

BX February 15, 1936

General Charles M. Nelles Dies After Brief Illness – A Native of Brantford His Life Included a Most Distinguished Military Career – After Retirement He Became Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake and He Established a Hospital There

At the Cottage Hospital, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Brigadier General Charles M. Nelles passed away last night after a brief illness. He was born in Brantford, the son of J.C. Nelles and grandson of Ven. Archdeacon Nelles, for many years associated with the work of the New England Company on the Six Nations Reserve, having supervisory charge of the Missions, Mohawk Church and Mohawk Institute.

Deceased was born here in 1864 and after completing his school education he entered Trinity College, Toronto, as a medical student. During this period the Riel rebellion broke out in the Northwest in 1865 and the deceased, who had always taken an active interest in military affairs, first of all with the Dufferin Rifles and then in a Toronto Regiment, went to the scene of trouble as a lieutenant and saw active service there. Later he became attached to Canada’s Militia force and joined the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He next served as an officer with the Canadian troops in South Africa and was wounded at an early period of hostilities. From 1906 to 1912 he was in command of a St. John’s, Quebec, Regiment and later returned to Toronto as Commander of the Dragoons. In this capacity he took part in the Great War and went to France in 1915. In 1917 he was transferred from field service to command the cavalry depot at Shorncliffe Barracks, Folkestone, and in 1920 he retired. It will thus be seen that he had enjoyed the exceedingly unique distinction of having served his Sovereign and country on three occasions, the Canadian Rebellion, the Boer War and the world hostilities, which broke out in 1914. His military honors were many. He was mentioned in despatches, awarded the D.S.O. and became a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George.

After nearly two years spent in the reorganization of the Dragoons regiment at Toronto he located at Niagara-on-the-lake. After his retirement his always active temperament led him to enter municipal life. He not only became Mayor of his adopted town, but also founded the hospital in which he passed away, and of which he was President for many years. He was also one of the directors of the Ontario Hospital Association and later President of that body. His work in this phase of local and provincial endeavor was outstanding. In addition he was prominent in many clubs and gave much support to amateur sport organizations.

His wife predeceased him some years ago and one of his sons, Lieutenant Norman Nelles was killed in action in the Great War while leading his men of the Northampton Regiment in a charge against the Germans. His other son, Percy Nelles was on H.M.S. Suffolk during the same period of hostilities. He is now Commodore Nelles of the Canadian Navy and represented the Dominion at the naval conference in London and also at the funeral of King George. He sailed for home yesterday, upon receiving the sad intelligence of his father’s death and the funeral many be delayed until after his arrival.

BX February 19, 1936

Many Attend Last Sad Rites – Funeral of General Nelles Took Place Yesterday

The funeral of the late Brigadier General C.M. Nelles took place yesterday afternoon at Niagara-on-the-Lake, and there was a very large attendance of those desiring to pay a last tribute of respect. These included old comrades who had fought with him in the three campaigns in which he was engaged and a detachment of his old regiment, the Royal Canadian Dragoons, which he took to France with the first Canadian contingent, formed a guard of honor. Fellow officers from St. Catharines, Toronto and other cities, as well as most of the citizens of Niagara-on-the-Lake, were present, together with large numbers of the members of the local Canadian Legion and St. Catharines.

General Nelles was the founder of the Niagara Branch, and held the position of Honorary Secretary of the Ontario Command. The service at the church, conducted by the rector, Rev. C.H.E. Smith, was semi-military, and was most impressive. The remains of General Nelles will be cremated and the ashes given to his son, Commodore Percy Nelles, Commander of the Canadian Navy, when he returns from England, where he attended the naval conference and the King’s funeral.

From the time of his demise until the interment, the flags on the Court House and other buildings at Niagara-on-the-Lake were flown at half-mast.