The AIF Project

An extract from the Richmond Guardian, Saturday 8 June 1918. "Corp W G Nichols (Died of Wounds) Youngest son of Mrs J Nichols, 20 Hunter Street. Corporal W G Nichols the youngest son of Mrs J Nichols, 20 Hunter street, is another bright lad from this city to fall in the fight for liberty and humanity. He died of wounds on May 19 at the 51st Casualty Clearing Station, France. He was the youngest son. It was a hard struggle for his mother, but the boy was eager to go, and she gave her consent and he insisted on his 18th birthday. Seven weeks after his entry into camp on March 13, 1915, he boarded a transport for Egypt. Service for some months on Gallipoli followed before the peninsula was evacuated. Later, he went to France, where he was wounded at Pozieres, and, after recovery contracted rheumatic fever which put him out of commission for the time being in an English hospital. His mother thought him still there, when she received the news that drove every smile from her face. Young Nichols was a good son to her, and she proudly treasures many trophies and medals he won in his connection with St Stephen's Harriers. He was an old Burnley S.S. boy, and prior to enlistment was employed at Kennon's tannery."