Mervyn Henry NUNN (1864-1915)

Lieutenant-Colonel Mervyn Henry Nunn (1864-1915) was Cyril Sladden’s Commanding Officer in the 9th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, for seven months.  Lieutenant-Colonel Nunn was in command of the battalion from 8th January 1915 until his death on 10th August 1915. 

Mervyn Nunn was born on 17th November 1864 at Woolhampton, Berkshire, the second of four children of William Henry Nunn, and his wife, Sophy Caroline (née Houghton).  His father died when he was ten and his mother died when he was 19.

Mervyn was educated at Harrow.  He was gazetted Lieutenant to the Worcestershire Regiment from the Militia on 28th April 1886.  He was promoted to Captain in 1892 and was employed with the Egyptian Army from 27th December 1896 to 1st October 1897 and served in the Nile Expedition of 1897.  He was promoted to Major on 13th November 1901.  He served in the South African War in 1902 and was in command of the Imperial Yeomanry Battalion from 26th February 1902.  He retired on 11th April 1906 and joined the Reserve of Officers.  His home, whilst in England, was Walcot, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, which was the home of his eldest sister, Ethel Mary Fryer, and her husband, Charles, a surgeon.

On the outbreak of the Great War, Major Nunn rejoined the Worcestershire Regiment.  He took command of the 9th battalion on 8th January 1915 after the unexpected suicide of the previous Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Sykes.  Major Nunn was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel with effect from that date.

On 24th June 1915, the 9th Battalion set sail for the Dardanelles.  Lieutenant-Colonel Nunn was killed in action at Chunik Bair on 10th August 1915, aged 50.  He was buried at the Farm Cemetery, Anzac.  There is a memorial to him in Worcester Cathedral cloister windows and at St Saviour’s Church, Shanklin.