NESBITT Arnold Stearns

First team member for Worcestershire County Cricket Club in 1914.

On the 1911 census Arnold Stearns Nesbitt was a Captain in the Worcestershire Regiment, aged 32, resident at Norton Barracks, Worcestershire.

Arnold Stearns Nesbit was born at Walton-on-Thames on Saturday 16th October 1878. He was the eldest son of the late William Henry Nesbitt, of Oatlands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey.  He was educated at Bradfield College. Arnold was a professional cricket player who took the field as a wicket keeper for Worcestershire County Cricket Club.  He was also a member of its Incognito and a passionate hunter.

Arnold was gazetted from the Militia in 1900, promoted to Lieutenant in 1900 and Captain in November 1904.  From 1907 to 1908 he worked for the Egyptian Army and in 1911 he was appointed Adjutant.

On Sunday 1st November 1914 Arnold travelled with his corps by motor bus from Merris to billets in Neuve Eglise and later the same day via Le Romarin into Bivouac close to Ploegsteert.  The following day they were sent into the line close to Chateau de la Hutte. Here the trenches were not only in poor condition but were also full of water.  On Friday 6th November the battalion were overlooking the valley of the Lys which was obscured by thick fog with visibility less than fifty yards.  Following severe damage from German artillery, Colonel Stuart requested artillery and infantry support, neither of which arrived.  In the early hours of Saturday 7th November the German artillery laid down a huge barrage which was followed by a German attack.  The accuracy of the artillery had killed and wounded a large number of the 3rd battalion and the Germans were able to make reasonable gains.  Arnold Nesbitt was killed during the heavy fighting.  He was mentioned in despatches, this was gazetted in the London Gazette on Wednesday 17th February 1915, page 1663.

A brass plaque in St Mary’s Church, Oatlands Park, Surrey bears the inscription:
To the Glory of God and in beloved memory of Arnold Stearns Nesbitt, Captain The Worcestershire Regiment, killed in action at Ploegsteert, Belgium, on November 7th 1914 aged 35 years. Victory won.

Source: In Continuing and Grateful Memory, The Menin Gate

A photograph of Captain A.S. Nesbit can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 21st November 1914, available at Worcestershire Archives.

Arnold Nesbit has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.