Thank you to Jim Edwards for this research.
Herbert Tice Nicklin (b late 1897) attested on 10th January 1916 in Dorking and attended the High School. His parents were George Tice and Fanny Nicklin of Falkland House, Falkland Grove. He was mobilised on 26th April into the 1st Reserve battalion (the training battalion) of the Honourable Artillery Company (Infantry) (7509). He went to France in early December to join the 1st Battalion and died of wounds on 9th February 1917. He was buried at Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel and is commemorated in St Paul’s Church.
PTE. TICE NICKLIN
Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Nicklin, of Falkland House, Dorking, have received the sad news of the death from wounds of their youngest son. Herbert Tice Nicklin, at the early age of 19 years and 4 months. At his earnest request Pte. Nicklin received his parents consent to be attested when 18; he joined the Honourable Artillery Company in April 1916, and was trained at Richmond Park, The Tower, and Kensington. His great aim was to qualify as a fully trained soldier as soon as possible, and in November last he offered for a draft to France, leaving England almost at once, and proceeding first to Le Havre and then to the trenches. He fell in battle whilst with a Lewis machine gun team, and died of his wounds received from shell on February 9th.
Pte. Nicklin’s late Platoon Commander, 2nd Lieut. G. E. Brown, has written Mr. and Mrs. Nicklin, under date February 20th, expressing his sincere sympathy, adding “I was his Platoon Commander before he went to the Lewis gun section, and he was always a splendid soldier and a good comrade. The only consolation one can offer is that he died a soldier’s death. We had to make a night attack, and the boys carried it out magnificently. The whole battalion was splendid, and it is a great help to know one has such good support in these most strenuous times. I must apologise for not having written before, but we had such a terrible time afterwards, and have not had an opportunity of writing. Once more assuring you of our deep sympathy in your bereavement.”
A soldier comrade, in sending his sympathy says: “We came out together and joined the same platoon in the battalion out here, and from the many most pleasant hours in his company so often provided me I feel his being taken away very much. Unfortunately just as we went up the line he was attached temporarily to the Lewis gun section, so that latterly I saw very little of him, and it came quite as a shock to hear of his death. He was at all times frightfully keen and always cheerful, but what was more he was one of the most Christian-like of soldiers that I have ever been privileged to meet.”
Herbert Tice Nicklin Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser
Hebert’s brother Percy was killed on 1st October 1918, for more information on Percy and the Nicklin family, go to Percy’s page.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | George Tice and Fanny (nee Softley) of Falkland Grove | |
| Brother of | Percy Raymond Nicklin | |
| Regiment | 1st Battalion. Honourable Artillery Company | |
| Number | 7509 | |
| Date of Death | 9th February 1917 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Died of wounds | |
| Age | 19 | |
| Cemetery | Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel, Beaucort, France |
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