REGINALD ASHTON NESLING

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

BROWN

Photographs courtesy of  John.

Born: 25th March 1917, Felixstowe, Suffolk.

Died: February 1941; age: 23; MPK – The Bay of Biscay.

Rank: Leading Signalman; Service Number: C/JX 140123.

Regiment: Royal Navy, H.M. Submarine ‘Snapper’

Memorial Reference:

Plot 45.2.

Chatham Naval Memorial,

Chatham,

Kent.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Reginald & Sybil Nesling; husband of  Eileen Christine Nesling, of  Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Father: Reginald Charles Nesling, born 1887, Earl Soham, Suffolk.

Mother: Margaret Sybil Nesling (nee Ashton), born 1897, Streatham, South London.

CENSUS

1921   29, Wilberforce Street, Ipswich.

Reginald was 4 years & 3 months old and lived with his parents and brother.

Reginald Nesling, 33 years & 10 months old, a Commercial Agent – Cattle Food and Manure – own account.

Margaret Nesling, 25 years & 6 months old, Home Duties.

Michael Russell Ashton Nesling, 8 months old, born Ipswich.

Reginald’s parents went their separate ways. His father, Reginald, and his new partner stayed in Ipswich, and his mother, Margaret, moved to Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, the home of her new partner.

In July 1939, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Ipswich, Brown married Eileen Christine Fenton, born 1920, Ipswich – daughter of Arthur Luke Fenton, a leather sorter and salesman, and Ellen Fenton (nee Smith), of 84, Cromer Road, Ipswich.

Brown’s parents did not have a happy marriage, and he spent a great deal of his childhood at his Auntie Bertie’s home at Waterloo Road, Ipswich. Brown joined the R.N. Cadets as soon as he was able. As a disciplinary matter, after a fist fight with another cadet during training, they were both required to enter the ring with boxing gloves with a mandatory handshake before and after.

H.M. Submarine ‘Snapper’ February 1941

H.M. Submarine ‘Snapper’ was built at Chatham Dockyard under the 1932 submarine building programme. Laid down on the 18th September 1933. Launched 25th October 1934. She departed Holy Loch, Clyde on the 29th January 1941, to patrol in the northern part of the Bay of Biscay. H.M. Submarine ‘Snapper’ failed to rendezvous off the Scilly Islands on the 12th February. She was declared overdue from patrol on the 14th February 1941 and considered lost with all hands. It is possible she was lost on mines.