Age 19. 32 Coolidge Avenue, Braintree, MA. Born on 6/23/1923, in Braintree. Died 11/29/1942 (Sunday), of burns (death certificate). Drill operator, Bethlehem Steel Co., Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, MA. Had recently resigned from his defense work and expected to enter the U.S. Army Signal Corps within a week. Attended the Grove with third-shift coworker Henry Rivoire, age 19, also of Braintree, also perished. "His chum, Rivoire...had taken the night off to celebrate Nelson's entrance into the armed forces of the country" (The Boston Evening Globe, 11/30/1942). His remains were identified at Northern Mortuary in Boston. Father, a Braintree deputy police chief on desk duty Saturday evening, had dispatched rescue help to the disaster but did not learn until Sunday morning his son was a victim of the blaze. "Young Nelson had been interested in the police work of his father...and was a favorite among men in the local police force" (Quincy Patriot Ledger, 11/30/1942). Was single. Nickname "Buddy." Fit build (WWII draft registration, June '42: 5' 11," 165 lbs.). Was a lifetime Braintree resident. With Mr. Rivoire were two of three Grove victims from the south shore town of Braintree (also club bartender Martin "Marty" Breen, age 41). Youths were two of 464 club guests killed in addition to 26 non-patrons deceased (including 17 employees, 6 visiting entertainers, one War Bonds salesgirl, also two outside passing fire rescuers), total of 490 dead. Parents Deputy Police Chief N. Eric and Mrs. Helen V. (Lally) Nelson, same address. Burial at Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. Middle name Eric.

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