In memory of William Harold Nicholls
William Harold Nicholls was born in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, in 1886 to William and Catherine Nicholls. He was educated at the Board School in Tenby and was a member of the town’s Church Lads’ Brigade, a youth organisation for Anglican Christians.
He emigrated c.1909 to Australia, where he worked as a shop assistant in Ipswich, Queensland. He enlisted in the army a few weeks after the outbreak of the First World War. He was wounded at the ill-fated Gallipoli landings, where he was promoted to Second Lieutenant on 18 August 1915. After his battalion withdrew to Egypt, he was promoted to Lieutenant.
He was wounded again while serving in France in 1916. During his convalescence in Britain, he married Lilian May Fuell of Llanbradach, near Caerphilly. She lived at 3 Central Terrace, Llanbradach.
He returned to the Western Front and died on 26 January 1917 after a shell exploded near him. He was 29 years old. He is buried at Guards Cemetery, south of Arras, France.
In his memory, his widow donated a lectern to All Saints Church in Llanbradach. Its dedication read: “In loving memory of my dear husband, Captain William Harold Nicholls of the 15th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. Killed in action in France, January 26th 1917. Aged 29 years.” The church was demolished in 1994.
Return to Llanbradach war memorial page
Return to Tenby war memorial page
