Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Pozieres Memorial | Panel 44 and 45. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.131 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 43D GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Photo at- http://www5.surreycc.gov.uk/dtcgi/nph-dtweb.exe?DTx=d&DTnp=1&DTnd=2&DTDB=DB03&DTHD=SurreyNoOrderBasicDisplay.htm&DTHE=Error.htm&DTHL=SurreyNoOrderBasicList.htm&DTHS=Search.htm&DTNT=10&DTRANK=Enable&DTQB1=7791&DTQI1=main&DTQO1=and
Family :
Born in 1877, and the eldest son with three younger siblings: Ada Mary (Oct 1878), Evelyn Margaret (1/4/1883) and Willian (Jan 1887). Born in Ealing.Husband of Susannah Nicholls, of 1, Balfour Crescent, Wolverhampton - married 14/5/1905. They had 2 children.
Education & Career :
Educated as a boarder at the Emanuel School, Wandwsworth.
He became a commercial traveller in the Iron Trade. He lived at first at Palm Lodge, Friern Barnet with a sister and brother.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 8/East Surrey Regiment |
8th (Service) Battalion Formed at Kingston-upon-Thames in September 1914 as part of K2 and attached to 55th Brigade in 18th (Eastern) Division. Moved initially to Purfleet but by April 1915 was at Colchester. Moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. Landed at Boulogne 28 July 1915. |
| Action : The First Battles of the Somme 1918 and associated actions |
21 March - 4 July 1918. The Battles of the Somme in 1918 were mostly concerned with stemming the German advance which started in March 1918 and which made considerable gains in the Somme/Arras sector. Utilising surplus troops which had become available following the surrender of Russia after the October Revolution, the Germans gambled on a massive campaign that could win the war in the west before the USA could bring its resources to bear. Initial gains were in places spectacular but eventually dogged resistance coupled with supply problems and sheer exhaustion closed down the battle. Other attacks were launched along the front to probe the Allied defences but the same pattern of initial gains followed by stalemate prevailed. British casualties were almost 345,000.
He was promoted Colour Sgt with the 5th Bttn of the East Surreys, before being commissioned in Jan 1915. Promoted Capt he was attached to the 8th (Service Bttn of the East Surreys, a Kitchener or Pals Bttn.
By the end of 1915 he was an Acting Major.
Detail :
Nichols was first posted wounded/missing on 4 April 1918 and later confirmed Killed in Action.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Grove Park No. 2732 E.C. | Hertfordshire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
20th January 1910 | 14th May 1910 | 15th July 1910 |
He was initiated into Grove Park Lodge on 20/1/1910. His proposer was Bro E J Westoby and seconder was Br H G Floyd, then WM.
Passed 14/5/1910 and raise 14/7/1910.
Made a Steward in 1915.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley