George Nelson


Due to the very common first name and surname it is virtually impossible to research this individual's life and death. There is only one George Nelson Canadian WWI casualty and a direct Richmond connection has not yet been found.

George Douglas Nelson

Birth: November 17, 1895

Death: October 30, 1917

Service: WWI

Regimental Number: 132350

George Douglas Nelson was born November 17, 1895 in Montreal to parents Thomas Joseph Nelson and Ada Helen Nelson. George Douglas Nelson was a Corporal in the Canadian Artillery 12th Light T.M. Battery. He was killed October 30, 1917.

History of the Road Name (Nelson Road):

  • Nelson Road was named April 15, 1911 after Mrs. Ennetta K. Nelson and Mr. Nels Nelson who were the owners of two parcels of land (lots 12 and 7) immediately adjacent to Nelson Road, and what became Westminster Highway. It is not known when the Nelson's purchased or sold this property, or whether or not they ever developed the land or lived on it.
  • In 1881, Nels Nelson, born on August 11, 1863 in Denmark, arrived in Victoria, BC as an able seaman on a German full-rigged ship where he skipped ashore and gained employment at the Victoria brewing Company where he became accomplished in the art of brewing. He then moved up island to John Mahrer's Nanaimo Bottling Company, where he became knowledgeable of this new packaging medium before moving to New Westminster. In 1886, Nelson was employed as the brewmaster at the Westminster Brewery and, in 1896 obtained ownership of the Westminster Brewery and the City Brewery. He closed the City Brewery location on Cunningham Street and transferred all operations to the Westminster Brewery site on Brunette Street. November 6, 1889 Nels Nelson married Anetta (Ennetta) Kerstin Sorrensen of Denmark. At the time of the marriage, Ennetta was residing in Denmark and Nels was residing in New Westminster; the marriage certificate was signed in New Westminster. From the 1890s until he sold the Brewery in 1928, Nels Nelson became a rich, powerful and active man in the City. Nelson brought stability to the brewery business and was also president of the Royal Agricultural and Industrial Society. In 1928, Nelson sold his interest in the Westminster Brewery to the Robery Fiddes & Associates Coast Breweries consortium. June 17, 1944 Nels Nelson passed away in New Westminster.
  • George Nelson has no connection to this Nelson family
  • Council Resolution to adopt road name: April 15, 1911 (Bylaw 148)
  • See Plan: Richmond Municipality - Road No. 8 drainage district - proposed diversion of main ditch (item number 1988 17 3)
  • City of New Westminster Report to the Development Services Department March 7, 2011 (available online)
  • More research needed