Harold Wilfred Nichol OBE



May 8, 1899

Born in Ottawa, Ontario to John Herbert and Anna (nee Garland) Nichol

 

Feb 24, 1916

Attested into the 154th Battalion CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Number 633576

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. John Nichol, mother, 40 Sherwood St., Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Stenographer

o   Later noted as Student

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

 
The battalion trained in the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

 
On attesting he lied about his age, giving his birth date as May 8, 1897, not his actual birth year of 1899

 

Oct 25, 1916

Embarked the SS Mauretania in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

  

Oct 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott to continue training

 

Nov 17, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal

 

Jan 31, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6th Reserve Battalion in East Sandling to continue training

 
Shortly after the formation of the battalion it moved to Seaford to train reinforcements for the front

 

Feb 26, 1917

Reverted to the rank of Private at his own request

 

Apr 21, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 22, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 3,000 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

May 9, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal with pay

 

May 21, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Nichol joined the 21st Battalion in the support trenches near Vimy Ridge as part of a draft of 149 reinforcements

 

Aug 15, 1917

During the battalion’s attack on Hill 70 near Lens, France, fierce hand to hand combat was engaged in and Harold Nichol received a serious bullet wound that passed through his right elbow, through his abdomen, then through his left wrist before exiting.  He was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 23, CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment.

 

Aug 16, 1917

Transferred to the No. 2 Stationary Hospital in Abbeville where surgery was performed to repair damage done by the bullet

 

Sep 11, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth

 

 
On arrival in England he was admitted to the 3rd Southern General Hospital in Oxford

 
Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to the CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) and admitted to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom to continue his recovery

 

Nov 22, 1917

Transferred to the Granville Special Hospital in Buxton and the diagnosis is changed to read Ankylosis of the right elbow

 

Feb 20, 1918

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Kirkdale, Liverpool

 

Mar 11, 1918

Invalided to Canada aboard the Hospital Ship Araguaya, embarking in Liverpool

 

 
 

Mar 26, 1918

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario

 
On arrival in Ottawa he was admitted to the Fleming Convalescent home there.  After being assessed, he was granted leave with subsistence

 

Apr 18, 1918

On completion of his leave he was readmitted to the Fleming Convalescent Home in Ottawa

 

May 1, 1918

Transferred to the CCPG (County of Carleton Protestant General) hospital in Ottawa

 

May 9, 1918

Transferred back to the Fleming Convalescent Home

 

Jun 12, 1918

Discharged from hospital and posted to the Casualty Company in Kingston, Ontario

 

Jun 20, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Corporal

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 40 Sherwood St., Ottawa, Ontario

 
Following the war the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 40 Sherwood St., Ottawa

 

Jul 19, 1918

Admitted to the County of Carleton Protestant General Hospital in Ottawa with a diagnosis that reads Sinus of right elbow.  Surgery was performed to remove dead bone tissue from the elbow

 

Sep 7, 1918

Transferred to the Fleming Convalescent Home in Ottawa

 

Sep 17, 1918

Discharged from hospital

 

Jun 22, 1932

Married to Edythe Popplewell in Perth, Ontario

Mar 15, 1940

Shown on the Voter’s List as living at 145 Aylmer Ave., Ottawa, Ontario with his wife and occupation is listed as Civil Servant

 

Jul 6, 1946

Awarded the Honour of Officer of the British Empire

 

 

Aug 8, 1947

Harold Nichol died in Ottawa, Ontario and was buried in the St. James’ Cemetery, Hull, Quebec

 

 

 


Return to Tribute list

Home

Contact