Murray Thomas NICHOLSON

NICHOLSON, Murray Thomas

Service Number: SX10522
Enlisted: 3 December 1940, Adelaide, South Australia
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion
Born: Maree, New South Wales, 23 May 1915
Home Town: Prospect, Prospect, South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Died: Killed in Action, Egypt, 31 October 1942, aged 27 years
Cemetery: El Alamein War Cemetery
El Alamein War Cemetery, El Alamein, Marsa Matruh, Egypt
Memorials: Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Iron Knob WW2 Honor Roll, Iron Knob War Memorial
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World War 2 Service

3 Dec 1940: Enlisted Private, SX10522, Adelaide, South Australia
3 Dec 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, SX10522, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion
31 Oct 1942: Involvement Private, SX10522, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion, El Alamein
Date unknown: Involvement

Brothers Together

Thomas and Janet Nicholson had a daughter, Jean and two sons. Their oldest son, Murray was born in Maree New South Wales on the 23rd May 1915. Their younger son, Colin was born three years later on the 23rd November 1919 at Strathalbyn, also in NSW. The Nicholson family moved to the Adelaide suburb of Prospect. Murray became a jackaroo and for a while worked in the Iron Knob area, out of Whyalla.
Colin, Murray’s younger brother was the first to enlist in June when WWII broke out. Five months later Murray also enlisted on the 3rd December 1940, aged 25 years. The two were not to be in the same Battalion as Colin was already in the 2/43rd. Murray was allocated the number SX10522. Following a camp at Terowie in the mid-north, and pre-embarkation leave, he was placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion before embarking overseas to Egypt. Both Battalions were to be strongly linked and provide support for each other.
Murray arrived in the Middle East in May ’41 where he had a brief promotion to A/Corporal but quickly reverted to the rank of Private. He also had a stint in the kit store, where it was not unknown to ‘swap’ an allocated ill-fitting uniform to one that better fitted. While in this role, Murray was reprimanded for ‘conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline’ so rejoined his 2/48th Battalion. However, conditions in the desert were unkind to Murray as he contracted a little understood liver disease called ‘Catarrhal Jaundice’, now known as hepatitis which later research found that during wartime, insanitary conditions contributed to soldiers acquiring this debilitating condition. That resulted in a quite lengthy period of hospitalisation over February of ’42 for Murray.
Returning to his battalion, physical conditions and the fierce fighting in the lead-up to the 13th July ’42 resulted in Murray being wounded in action following concerted enemy shelling and a bomb blast. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ John G. Glenn describes that encounter:
“East Point 24 and Point 33 were under fire but the 2/48th did not become directly involved, except when concentrations of airburst searched the whole of the unit area. Back at B Echeleon, Sergeant Lance Lloyd was badly wounded in the back when a shell burst above his head. Further forward, Corporal B.L. Jenkins was killed, and Privates W.E. Thompson and M.T. Nicholson were wounded by shell fire.”
Resultantly, Murray was again hospitalised, but in a British General Hospital. A bout of tonsillitis followed in October which was treated by the 2/8 field ambulance.
Murray was killed in action in Egypt on the 31st October, 1942 aged 27. This is again described in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’:
‘Meanwhile battalion headquarters, continuing to move forward, passed through the gap between B and C Companies, only to find themselves four hundred yards in advance of the leading companies and meeting heavy enemy resistance close to the final objective. Casualties were mounting among the headquarters personnel. Corporal Bill Cashen and Private Murray Nicholson of the orderly room staff, Sergeant Lindsay Goode and Corporal Tas Scutt of the signals, and Private Vin McGahan had all been killed.’
In a cruel blow for the family, Murray’s young brother, Colin Scott was also killed in action in Egypt, just two days later on the 2nd November 1942 aged just 22.
Initially Murray was buried in the field but he now rests in the El Alamein War Cemetery in a place of remembrance for those who were killed during the Battle of El Alamein of the Western Desert Campaign which claimed so many lives. Colin also rests there. The inscription on both brothers’ graves is in stark contrast to the events surrounding their deaths – ‘Peace Perfect Peace’.
The devastated family were notified of the deaths of both Colin and Murray, with the news also appearing in the ‘Advertiser’ along with the death of Glossop based Jack Minnocks, an only son.
The decimated Nicholson family placed In Memorium notices to their loved sons, brother and friend:
Advertiser Saturday 21 November 1942, NICHOLSON. —KiIIed in action in Egypt on Oct. 31. Pte. Murray Thomas, beloved eldest son of Mrs. J. B. Nicholson. of Thorngate. and darling brother and brother-in-law of Jean and Leigh, and loving friend of Glory. NICHOLSON. —KiIIed in action In Egypt, Sgt. Colin Scott, dearly beloved youngest son of Mrs. J. B. Nicholson, of Thorngate, and darling brother and brother-in-law of Jean and Leigh.
Advertiser Tuesday 24 November 1942, NICHOLSON. —In loving memory of Murray, killed in action on October 31, in Egypt. —Always remembered by Glory Hutchins.
Advertiser Monday 1 November 1943, NICHOLSON. —In loving memory of Murray and Colin, killed In action. El Alamein, 1942. —Mother. Jim, and Leigh.
Advertiser Thursday 2 November 1944, NICHOLSON. —Cherished memories of Murry (Nick) 2/48th, killed in action El Alamein. Oct. 31. 1942.—Ever remembered by his pal Don Perriam. A tribute to the memory of Paul (Bill) Cashen. Murry (Nick) Nicholson, and boys of the 2/48th Bn. who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein between Oct. 23-31. In silence we remember them. —Inserted by Don, Tank and George.
A lasting tribute to both sons is at the Enfield North Cemetery.
Their mother, Janet lived into her 80’s. She died on the 12th February 1973 and is buried at Centennial Park.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.

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