Rev. Joseph Edward Chancellor Nicholl MC - Capt. No.2 Commando

This message was edited 5 times. Last update was at 03/08/2009 17:42:27

Known as Jos to family, and Joe in No.2 Commando

Here is an obituary from Queens College to this man who served in No.2 Commando:

The Revd J. E. C. NICHOLL, M.C. (1939) aged 83. ?Joss? Nicholl was born in India into a medical missionary family. He spent his early years in Quetta where his father was serving in the Church Missionary Society Hospital. Educated at Stowe School, where he was an outstanding sportsman, he came up to Queens' to read History. Joss joined the army in 1940 and was commissioned into a search-light regiment of the Royal Artillery, but he soon transferred to the Commandos. As an officer of 2 Commando he took part in the Sicily campaign and in the invasion of the Italian mainland at Salerno. He then participated in raids on enemy shipping in the Adriatic and on the Dalmatian islands, whilst based at Vis. In the Battle of Commachio, near Venice, in April 1945 he won the Military Cross. During the day he twice led his troops across open ground under heavy fire, personally attacked an enemy position and rallied his men to advance further. After the war he returned to Queens? to complete his degree. He played rugby for the University, but missed his Blue. He attributed his call to Christian ministry to the experience of burying fellow officers at Salerno. Very much a member of the evangelical tradition, he was one of the group of Christian leaders nurtured in his formative years by the holidays run by E.J.H.?Bash? Nash. He went on to Ridley Hall and was ordained in 1948, serving as curate of St John's, Penge. In 1950 he became Chaplain and later a Housemaster at Sutton Valence School. In 1959 he returned to Stowe as Chaplain. His sensitivity as a Pastor and gifts as a Schoolmaster were deeply appreciated. He served as a Housemaster there also. On ceasing to be a member of the teaching staff, he took charge of Stowe church where his ministry was as appreciated by his village parishioners as by schoolboys and colleagues. In 1982 he became Rector of Angmering in Sussex. In retirement in Lewes he often helped during interregnums (especially at South Malling), was Chairman of the Local Council of Churches and served as Chaplain to the British Legion and an Honorary Chaplain to the Commando Association.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 02/08/2009 18:02:32

I have managed to contact Angela Le Roy, the daughter of the late Reverend Nicholl MC - former Captain of No.2 Commando and have created an album of pictures that she has kindly sent me. The link to his album in the No.2 Cdo Gallery is here:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/?g2_page=2

I Have reproduced those photos here to be alongside the obituary above.

There are 2 further photos in the No.2 Gallery in which he can be seen:

as Lieutenant in 6 Troop here:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/6+troop/6+Troop+2+Commando.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

and in the Panorama photo of No.2 Cdo here:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/2__Commando+panorama.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 02/08/2009 18:26:16

From the No.2 Cdo War Diary :

21/4/44 at Vis : Lt. Nicholl and 15 men left with partisans for a large scale raid on Korcula. A Partisan show Commando providing wireless communication only for the battle;

25/4/44 at Vis : Lt. Nicholl returns from Korcula;

26/4/44 at Vis : Divisional Partisan Commander very pleased with Lt. Nicholl and party.and has requested that this officer always goes with him in future battles

His citation for his Military Cross in 1945:

"In the action on the Spit across Lake Commachio on 2 Apr 45, Capt. Nicholl was in command of 5 Troop, 2 Commando.
Owing to a break-down in landing craft, Capt. Nicholl's Troop arrived late and was ordered to attack enemy positions defending a bridge, with no opportunity of previous recce or planning as speed was imperative.
He personally led his Troop across 800 yds of open country in daylight in the face of heavy S.A. fire from uncharted weapons pits, destroying by himself at least one spandau post and several rifle pits.
Later in the day, Capt. Nicholl led his Troop against a strongly-defended gun position. Although he suffered a number of casualties from point blank gun fire and S.A. fire he infiltrated forward with a Bren Team and harassed the gunteam with such tenacity it was forced to withdraw.
On the following day during the advance up the Spit Capt. Nicholl's Troop which was leading was pinned by vicious and heavy D.F. fire. Capt. Nicholl inspired all ranks by his great coolness and personal disregard for his own safety when visiting forward elements to rally them for a further advance.
GRANTED AN IMMEDIATE MC"
signed by
HR Alexander Field Marshall, Supreme Allied Commander-in-chief, Mediterranean Theatre - and others.