Rifleman George H. Nussey was born in Breton, Yorkshire, England in October 1846, son of Joseph Nussey and Sarah Holmes.

It’s not known exactly when he immigrated to Canada however on 20 February 1869 he married Margaret Frear in Toronto. On 19 November 1869, they had a son George Henry Nussey.

According to the nominal roll in the regimental archives, Nussey joined the QOR on 22 October 1868 and was a member of No. 2 Company. 

He was employed as a machinist with Messrs. Dickey & Neill.

On 15 April 1870, a tragic accident occurred during a No. 2 Company range day at the Garrison Common, when Nussey was shot in the head after 21-year-old fellow rifleman Arthur Gascoigne* accidentally discharged his Snider-Enfield.

The 23-year-old Nussey died almost immediately and was buried in Necropolis Cemetery Plot Q 58 TT 1/2.

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*Gascoigne, who was understandably distraught, was arrested at the scene however, we have found no record as to what subsequently took place, such as a coroner’s inquest or a criminal trial to indicate his fate. Over two years later, the Regimental Orders of 18 May 1872 (page 212) indicate that Gascoigne was struck off strength having “left the limits.” He had been employed at the firm of Pellat and Osler, Brokers.