| Regimental number | 2752 |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Tooborac, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Next of kin | Father, C O Nickelson, Tooborac, Victoria |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 22nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/39/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 57th Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Listed on Tooborac Roll of Honour, Victoria. |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On 26/9/17 Corporal ROBERT JAMES NICKELSON was employed at Brigade Ammunition Dump in GLENCORSE WOOD. A German 5.9" shell hit the dump and set fire to 40 boxes of Smoke Bombs and also a large dump of Mills Grenades. This N.C.O. rushed out of a dugout, together with a bomber, and despite the dense smoke cloud shovelled loose earth on the fire and after about 20 minutes strenuous work managed to smother it. During this time the Mills Grenades were exploding all over the place and the dump was being very heavily shelled. This was the main forward Brigade Dump from which all ammunition was being forwarded to the front line to supply the demands of the attacking Battalions and was saved from absolute destruction by the excellent work and determination of these two men [NICKELSON and 2590 F. COWLEY] at great personal risk. Whilst returning from the dump to his dugout a few yards away after smothering the fire, this N.C.O. was badly wounded by shell fire.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
