Frederick Arthur Nicholls

Frederick Arthur Nicholls

Personal Information
Date of Birth	20 Aug 1922
Place of Birth	Kelmscott, Western Australia
Death	6 Nov 1997, aged 75
Place of Death	Armadale, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	19 years old
Occupation	Swamper
Religion	Congregation
Address	Kelmscott, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr Joseph Henry Nicholls
Military Information
Reg Number	WX15925
Date of Enlistment	20 Aug 1941
Rank	Driver
Unit/Formation	139th Aust General Transport Platoon
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia

War Service

Enlisted in Claremont on his 19th birthday, and six days later he was sent to the 3rd Training Battalion at Northam to undertake basic training. Completed, he was next sent to the Motor Transport School from 2 - 28 Nov 1941. On 4 Dec 1941 Fred was allocated to a reinforcement draft for the 2/32nd Battalion where he was granted pre-embarkation leave from 10 -16 Dec 1941. Soon after his return, in January 1942 he was transferred from the battalion to the 2nd Company AIF and he attended a training course in Foster, Victoria from 30 Jan until 28 Feb 1942.

On 12 Mar 1942 he was transferred back to Western Australia and the 13th Training Battalion at Northam, arriving on 20 Mar 1942. On 27 Mar 1942 he was detached to perform guard duties on the Mundaring Weir. Ill soon after, he was admitted to the 8th Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 7 Apr 1942, and transferred the same day to the 118th Australian General Hospital in Northam. Transferred again on 9 Apr 1942, this time to the 110th Australian Base Hospital at Hollywood for treatment (measles). On 27 Apr 1942 he was released back to his unit.

Fred was AWOL from midnight 1 Jul 1942 until 6:40am the next morning earning him an admonishment, and the forfeiture of a day's pay of 6/- ($0.60). On 11 Aug 1942 Fred was transferred to AASC Group reinforcements for training before being transferred to the A.R.D. at Northam. The next day (12 Aug 1942) he was allocated to the 139th Australian General Transport Platoon. On 5 Jan 1943 Fred was charged with having been AWOL from midnight 3 Jan 1943 until 1:30pm on 5 Jan 1943. For this, Fred was fined £1, forfeiture of 2 day's pay, and awarded 7 days Confined to Barracks. Almost immediately he was again AWOL, this time from 12:00noon on 27 Jan 1943 until 1:15pm on 28 Jan 1943. Another 7 days Confined to Barracks followed, along with the forfeiture of 2 days pay.

Fred was transferred again on 9 Feb 1943, this time to the 3rd Australian Corps Troops Supply Company who later, on 15 Apr 1943 detached Fred to the 37th Australian Army Service Corps Company. It was around this time, in early 1943 that Fred married Thelma Colleen Ward. On 16 Jul 1943 Fred was granted 3 months leave without pay, before it was extended on 16 October to last until 11 Dec 1943. Fred was then discharged on 20 Dec 1943, for 'Essential Services'

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1954, Karragullen, orchardist; 1968 at 2300 Albany highway, Gosnells, truck driver; 1972 at 56 Fifth road, Armadale, with Ethel Vera, truck driver; 1977 - 1980 at 9 Stepney road, Armadale, with Olive Maud, retired