1582, Bugler, Bruce NICKSON
Aged 17
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Born in Newmarket on August 22nd, 1898 (Newmarket Q4-1898 3b:487) to Leonard Robert and Rose NICKSON (née GILLSON), of 9 Stanley Road,Newmarket.
1901 census...Bruce [2] was at Stanley Road, Newmarket with his father Leonard R [32] a plumber, born Plymouth; his mother Rose [33] born Cambridge; his sisters Rose [8] born Soham and Lily [7] born Newmarket, and brothers Leonard [5] and George [1 month] both born in Newmarket. 1911 census...Bruce [12], a scholar, living with his parents at 9 Stanley Road, Newmarket with sister Lily, brothers Leonard; George and new brother Herbert [6] born Newmarket. He enlisted in Newmarket. Given his stated age, he may have falsified his age on enlistment, although age on enlistment was reduced for buglers, he still should not have been serving abroad at his age. |
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Since he died of his wounds we cannot be sure where and when exactly he was in action.By that stage of the campaign is seems the No.16 C.C.S. had been moved to the coast, somewhere near William's Pier at North Beach. The 5th Suffolks however were in the area of Hill 60 and Dixon's Gully all of October.
The Newmarket Journal of 27th November 1915 reported:- DEATH OF BUGLER NICKSON We regret to state that Bugler Nickson, a son of Coy-Sergt-Major Leonard Nickson, H Co. 5th Suffolks and Mrs. Nickson, 9 Stanley Road, Newmarket was wounded on October 30th and died on the 3st. He was only 17 years old on August 22nd last, a bright, smart lad who was a general favourite in the battalion. Capt.Hubert C.Walton, in conveying the sad news to Mrs.Nickson, says " I feel I must write at once to you to express my heartfelt sympathy with you and Sergt-major Nickson in your recent bereavement. There is a very distressing co-incidence about the death of your young son, for on the very day he died he had intended being confirmed with several of his comrades. On hearing that he was wounded I wrote to the chaplain explaining the circumstance and asking that special prayers might be made at the service on his behalf, and he tells me the specially .....confirmation and wishes me to say how very grieved he is. Your son was in my platoon, so I knew him well. I have today seen Sergt Hills, and he is making arrangements for the erection of a cross with a suitable inscription, wich shall be put above his head.He died at No.16 Casualty Station Hospital, and was laid to rest in a little military cemetery close by. I can assure you we are all very grieved to lose him, as he always was so cheerful. I do think the Nickson family can look with pride at their record of service. I hope the Sergt-Major is very much better now. I think he deserves a long rest. Your other son, who is in the Machine Gun Section, has not been quite the thing lately, so has gone into hospital for a few days, but you need have no anxiety on his behalf" Mr.L.A.Parnwell, hon.sec of the Great Eastern Railway War Fund says in a very sympathetic letter to Mrs. Nickson, "Perhaps you may be able to obtain some consolation from the fact that your son died in the performance of his duty, and in the service of his country. When time has softened the blow to you I am sure you will feel glad that your son's death was such a noble one". Sergt-Major L.Nickson has been sent home ill, and is now in hospital at Plymouth. |
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