The children were raised on the family dairy farm at Gloucester River and schooled at Heatherdale.

James, born in 1894, married Maude Braye in England shortly before he was killed in action on the Western Front.

He enlisted as a private in the 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion on July 14, 1915.

Private Nash was killed while fighting at Proyart in France on August 23, 1918. He was 24.

The Maitland Weekly Mercury, reported on October 5, 1918: ‘word was received on Thursday of the death in action of Private James Nash, son of Mr Ben Nash, of Gloucester River. Private Nash was killed in France on 23rd August.’ 

James’ elder brother Johnathon married Maude following his brother’s death and the couple had three children, two daughters and a son.

James’ great neice Dee Ekert has been researching her family tree and has found links to some members of the Nash family still living in the region.

“I am a descendant from (James’ younger) sister Ethel Maude Nash, born 1895,” she said.

“Just in our family alone there are between 100 and 200 of us. 

“I have found information that some of the Nash family still own the same dairy farms and a lot remain in the Gloucester, Stroud and Dungog areas.”

James Nash’s name is located at panel 33 in the commemorative area at the Australian War Memorial.