Roll of Honour
Lieutenant
Robert Nichol
Robert Nichol had an interesting upbringing. He was born in Tacubaya, Mexico on the 5th September, 1896. His mother, Clotilde, came from Mexico and his father, also Robert, was a doctor and later a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps. Robert was educated in Mexico and at the Lamar School in El Paso, Texas. Living in the sierras of Mexico until 1912, he had every opportunity to enjoy the outdoor life. He took full advantage, and became a keen sportsman and horseman. In 1912 he came back to live at the family home at 8 Franklin Terrace, and became a pupil at Glasgow High School. His shooting skills earned him a place in the school team. It seems that he intended to follow his father into Medicine. In August he joined the University O.T.C, and in September 1915 passed his prelim exams. But he never took up a place in Medicine. His commission was dated 16th November 1915 and he was soon packing his kit. Second Lieutenant Nichol was bound for France with the 10th Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders.
Robert’s two years of war came to an end on the 11th October 1917. After hopeful signs of a breakthrough against the Germans in the Ypres Salient in the first week of October at Broodseinde, the Allies failed to retain much of the ground taken in the area between the ridge and the village of Passcchendaele. Terrible rain and mud hampered their efforts and casualties on both sides were high.
Robert Nichol was killed in action on the 11th of October 1917. He is buried at Poelcapelle British Cemetery, where 7,479 Commonwealth servicemen are buried, 6,230 of whom are unidentified. He is remembered on the High School of Glasgow’s Roll of Honour. He was 21.
Comments and Citations
University of Glasgow Roll of Honour
Obituary, The High School of Glasgow