Thomas Nichols
Memorial: Wick - Wick Tabernacle United Reformed Church
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Medals: 1939–45 Star, War Medal 1939–1945
Rank and number: Gunner 5192051
Parents: Charles and Eva Elsie Nichols
Home address: Naishcombe Hill, Wick, Bristol
Pre-war occupation: Boot and shoe trade
Date of birth: 08/12/1922
Date of death: 03/09/1943
Buried/Commemorated at: Buried Salerno War Cemetery Italy and commemorated St Bartholomew’s Church Wick and Abson
Age: 20
Further information:
Thomas had 2 younger brothers.
Thomas served with the 52 Anti-Tank Regiment, his regiment formed part of the 8th Army which took part in Operation Baytown, the allied invasion of Italy. The invasion began on the 3rd September with an assault on Reggio Calabria which was largely undefended. Some German planes managed to get past allied aircraft and fire on disembarking troops. It is likely that Thomas lost his life in this way on the first day of the invasion.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
This information has been provided by Sarah Hands, Volunteer Researcher for the South Gloucestershire War Memorials Web Site.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
https://www.cwgc.org/
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/
http://www.glosgen.co.uk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allied_invasion_of_Italy_order_of_battle
http://ww2today.com/3rd-september-1943-operation-baytown-the-invasion-of-italy
https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/