St. Teilo church, Bishopston - Robert William Nickolls
St. Teilo church, Bishopston. Buried here is Robert William Nickolls, who
died April 1933. Part of the inscription
on the gravestone reads ‘Late of the 43rd Battn. A.I.F.’
Who was Robert?
Robert was born 1885, Oystermouth. His parents were John Nickolls and Margaret Hancome. His grandparents on his mothers’ side, were
Robert and Margaret Hancome. Robert occupation
was Surgeon. 1845, Robert was listed in
the 1845 Post Office Directory of London and Birmingham, living at 4 Euston
Square, New road. By 1856, Robert is Living
at Blackpill. Robert dies 1874.
Margaret Hancombe, dies a year before her grandsons’ birth,
at St. Mary, Ealing, London
The 1881 census, John is living at Cwmbach, Oystermouth with
his widowed mother in law and his wife, Margaret. John’s occupation is listed as a Farmer 68
Acres, employing 1 Labourer. John is
Devon born.
 |
| England and Wales Census 3rd April 1881 Cwmbach, Oystermouth |
1885 Robert was born.
The following census, of 1891, the family are still living
at Cwmbach, Oystermouth. However, John
has also died. Margaret is Living on Own
Means. For the first time, Robert William
is listed.
 |
| England and Wales Census 5th April 1891 Cwmbach, Oystermouth |
The 1901 census, the family have moved to Coedffranc,
Neath. Robert now aged 16, is listed as being
occupied in the local mines.
 |
| England and Wales Census 31st March 1901 Coedffranc, Neath |
The next that is heard about Robert is during March 1916,
Australia. Robert has enlisted with the
43rd Battalion at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia. His occupation at the time of enlistment, is Civil
Servant.
 |
| Argyllshire |
The 43rd Battalion was raised during that March. Robert with the rest of the Battalion, embarked
Fremantle, November on board “Argyllshire”, disembarked at Devonport the
following January 1917.
By the end of the conflict, Robert was awarded the 1914/15
Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
 |
| left to right 1914/15 Star; British War and Victory Medals |
 |
| Benalla |
1929, Robert returned back to live in the UK. Travelling on the Peninsula and Orient Steam
Navigation Company Ltd “Benalla”.
Disembarking from Brisbane, to arrive at London on 28th May
1929. The ship stopped at Melbourne;
Sydney; Adelaide; Colombo; Hobart; Malta; Port Said; Freemantle; Plymouth,
Devon, England; London.
1930, Robert is living at 2 York terrace, Olapham, South
London.
1933, aged 44, Robert William of Coombe Cottage, Overton,
Port Eynon died.
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