Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

WX7645 NICHOLLS, William James POW, died illness Batavia 13 October 1942 aged 32 years.  Bill enlisted 10 August 1940 and joined 2/4th MGB as a Signaller with Headquarters Company.  He was employed as a butcher prior to enlisting.

As ‘Aquitania’ headed for Fremantle from Sydney with 2/4th MGB and other reinforcements on board – the West Australians believed they would have shore leave to visit their families before heading to an unknown destination (they had not been informed they were bound for Singapore).  They had been away from WA for six months training in SA and NT.  The men couldn’t believe their latest order ‘There would be no shore leave for anybody’.

When Aquintania’ anchored at Gauge Roads on 15 January 1942, hundreds of 2/4th men disobeyed orders and ‘jumped ship’ scrambling onto the supply pontoons tied alongside.  Many got back before ‘Aquitania’ sailed the following day, however more than 90 well-trained machine gunners were left behind. Some had been imprisoned by local police and were unable to be freed.

This group was to sail several weeks later with a smaller convoy.  As they neared Singapore, their scheduled destination, it was apparent the island would soon fall to Japan – they were diverted to Java.  Most joined ‘Blackforce’ and with other Allied Forces and the Dutch East Indies, they prepared to fight the Japanese. Their freedom was short-lived and within weeks, Nicholls was a POW of Japan!  The Australian, British and American POWs were held at several camp locations, as were the Dutch East Indies.

Nicholls became sick on 30 September 1942 and entered Bicycle Camp Hospital, Batavia.  He died from bacillary dysentery on 13th October 1942, aged 32 years.

Bill Nicholls was born Donnybrook July 1910 to Albert Edward and Elizabeth Ann Nicholls, of Donnybrook.  By 1942 his mother was a widow.

http://2nd4thmgb.com.au/story/donnybrook-war-memorial/