NICKLIN, [C] Albert

Albert Nicklin lived in Wordsley and was the son of George and Mercy Nicklin of Wollaston, Stourbridge. He enlisted in 1908 as a regular soldier in the 1st Battalion of the Worcesters. At the outbreak of war the Worcesters were in India and quickly returned to Britain. They joined the 8th Division and were sent to the Western Front. They landed in France on the 5th November and went into the front line in Artois. Conditions in the winter were poor but by March 1915 they were ready to undertake the first of the British Spring attacks. The Worcesters were in the front line for the Battle of Neuve Chapelle from the 100h to the 15th March but no ground was gained and losses were heavy. Another attempt was made nearby on the 9th May to capture the Aubers Ridge. The first troops attacked at 5.40 a.m. The attack stalled on the open ground and a second attack at 1.30 p.m. was made by the Worcesters. The enemy defensive position was too strong and the battalion had over 200 casualties. Among those killed in action was Sergeant Albert Nicklin. He was 28 years of age and is buried in Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue (V B 22) and commemorated on the Wordsley Memorial.