Nicholls, William Howard
Captain W. H. Nicholls, who was killed by an accidental gunshot wound at Jhansi, Central Provinces, India on February 22nd, 1916, at the age of 24 years, was the only son of Mr. H. H. J. Nicholls M.R.C.S. of Worthing, who was for many years in practice at Eastbourne. He was educated at Bradfield College and Guy's Hospital. Though near his qualifying degree at the London University, on the outbreak of war he passed the conjoint examination and immediately entered the R.A.M.C. in which he was gazetted Captain in 1915. He was a boxer and all-round athlete, and shared in the men's games, and was very popular with them. Whilst in medical charge of the Norwich Flying Corps he utilised his knowledge of mechanics and natural interest in machinery to learn to fly himself, and he was granted a pilot's certificate in January, 1916, an unusual distinction in the R.A.M.C. Soon after this he was ordered abroad and met his death not long after reaching India. In private life he was a keen sportsman and a small yacht owner, and there will be sorrow in many a Worthing fisherman's home for the loss of a liberal friend. Hospital Reports Vol.LXX, War Memorial Number
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Nicholls |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | William Howard |
| Date of birth | 1891 |
| Place of birth | Eastbourne Registration District |
| Family details | Son of Mr and Mrs Howard Hill John Nicholls, of Downview Rd, Worthing, W. Sussex |
| Previous education | Bradfield College |
| College | Guy's Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1910-1914 |
| Dept / course | London M.D. |
| Qualifications | Conjoint 1914 |
| Military unit | Royal Army Medical Corps |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Date of death | 22 February 1916 |
| Age at death | 24 |
| Rank at death | Captain |
| Cause of death | Accidental gunshot wound |
| Burial place | Buried in Jhansi Cantonment Cemetery |
| Commemoration(s) | Guy's Hospital Memorial; Madras 1914-1918 War Memorial, Chennai |
| Sources | Guy's Hospital Medical School Records, King's College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission |