Sgt Nelson Thomas Pike, was the fourth son of Joseph Peplar Pike and Agnes Pike of Someries Farm Luton. Nelson was born in 1889 in Hilperton Wiltshire, where his father was a farmer.

In 1911, Nelson was working as a Chauffeur for the family of Edward Welton, a Stockbroker who lived in St. Albans.

Nelson joined the A.S.C. as a driver, and was continually engaged in the transport of ammunition and supplies from the railheads to the front line depots, a risky occupation that was open to shellfire and the occasional explosion of ammunition under transit.