Mexborough and Swinton Times December 22, 1917

Mexborough Men in the Thick of It

The three sons of Mr. and Mrs. William Nichols, 4, Helena street, Mexboro’, have seen a great deal of- heavy fighting in France. Two of them. Cpl. H. J. Nichols (K.O.Y.L.I.) and Spr. W. L. Nichols (R.E., Sig. Sec..), 47, York street, Mexboro’, have returned to the Front this week after leave.

Cpl HJ Nicholls (K.O.Y.L.I.) (centre picture)

Cpl. Nichols is to be promoted immediately to the rank of sergeant for good work in the battle of Cambrai. He took part in the Tank drive, and the famous commander of the Tanks was in charge of the machine behind which Cpl. Nichols advanced. Cpl. Nichols said he was very surprised and amused when the Tank General suddenly popped his head out of the machine and yelled, “Now, boys, let ’em have it.” Cpl. Nichols is very enthusiastic about the advance, and declares that the stories of the subsequent set-back are much exaggerated. The Germans, he says, did not take four thousand prisoners, but fifteen hundred, and were not within a hundred of the guns they claimed. Some of the guns were recaptured, and others a3 ad to be des-royed by the enemy, while in the rally our cavalry made a material addition to the tale of German prisoners.

Spr. W. L. Nichols (left picture) has come from the Passchendaele sector, where he has seen bitter and gruesome fighting, and where the conditions are beyond belief.

The other brother, Spr. W. R. Nichols (R.E.) (right picture) is in France, and expects to be home on leave very shortly.