Five: Temporary Captain R. J. Nicolle, Canadian Provost Corps, late Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, who survived a booby-trap and hand-to-hand fighting on a night patrol in Salonika in 1917

1914-15 Star (2.Lieut. R. J. Nicolle. D. of Corn. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. R. J. Nicolle.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (Lieut. R. J. Nicolle); War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, minor contact marks, generally very fine and better (5) £240-£280

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 46th Foot and its Successor Units.

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Reginald John Nicolle was born in Guernsey on 3 July 1892, the son of grocer and confectioner Louis F. Nicolle of Vauvert Road, St. Peter Port. Educated at Elizabeth College, Nicolle was appointed to a commission in the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry (Militia) in 1911 and served almost three years on the island before crossing the Atlantic and taking employment as a bank clerk in Winnipeg with the Union Bank of Canada; he subsequently resigned his commission in July 1914 as a result of being unable to attend annual camp.

Granted indefinite leave of absence from his employer at the outbreak of the Great War, Nicolle enlisted in the 79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada at Valcartier on 13 August 1914. Transferred to the 16th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, he sailed for England per SS Adania on 7 October 1914, but soon required medical treatment which necessitated a considerable stay in military hospital; discharged on 6 April 1915, he was transferred as Second Lieutenant to the 8th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Sent to Salonika, Nicolle contracted malaria in 1916 and later had a lucky escape when ambushed by enemy forces. This event was later detailed in the regimental history by author Everard Wyrall:

‘On the night of the 7th/8th [of June, 1917], the wily Bulgar laid a trap for the D.C.L.I. patrols. Lieut. Nicolle took out a party to Petit Piton and on Grand Piton found an enemy telephone wire lying innocently on the ground. On pulling the wire an explosion took place and the advanced party of the patrol were immediately attacked from both flanks and rear by strong hostile parties. Close fighting took place and Lieut. Nicolle got through, but four men were afterwards found to be missing.’

Transferred to Iraq from 1919 to 1920 as Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, D.C.L.I., attached Royal Army Service Corps, Nicolle relinquished his commission in December 1920 and embarked at Liverpool for Quebec in a first-class berth aboard the R.M.S. Empress of Britain on 30 April 1921. Returning to service with the Union Bank of Canada, he worked as Ledger Keeper in the Portage & Arlington branch, followed by spells on Bow Island and as Teller Accountant in the town of Jenner, Alberta. From 1924 to 1939 he served with the Alberta Provincial Police - likely in an office position - before taking employment as manager of Alberta Transport. Gazetted Temporary Captain (General List) on 3 August 1940, he was placed in command of No. 5 Provost Company on 8 September 1940 but his time with the Canadian Active Service Force was cut short through ill health and lapses of judgement. Permitted to tender his resignation, his application for a commission in the Veteran’s Guard of Canada was rejected.

Sold with a file of copied research, including Military Service Record.