NICHOLS Lovell Herman

Lovell Herman NICHOLS was born near Parramatta, NSW on 8 June 1878. Also known as Henry Nichols, he enlisted in the A.I.F in Brisbane on 16 November 1916, at the age of 38. He was married and father of six children. He lived at Beerwah, S.E. Queensland and gave his occupation as a "selector". His Next of Kin was his wife Mrs Sophia Maria Nichols, of Beerwah, North Coast Line, Queensland. He was posted to the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Forces (Medical Corps) at Rabaul in German New Guinea, where he served from January 1917 to August 1918. During his time in both Rabaul & Kokopo he was subject to recurring fevers,fainting spells after exertion and a bout of Malaria. In August 1918 he was returned to Australia for medical assessment and was eventually diagnosed with Valvular Heart Disease. As he was permanently unfit for duty he was recommended for a Disability Pension and discharged from the Army in October 1918.
On the 7th December 1918 Lovell Herman Nichols lost his life when he accidently fell beneath a moving train at Beerwah Railway Station.

THE BEERWAH FATALITY.
Mrs. Brumpton, of Eudlo, writes: In reference to the unexplained railway fatality at Beerwah last Saturday night, I might assist to explain the cause by stating that Mr. Nichols was talking to me when the train pulled up at Beerwah, and as soon as the train stopped he said good night, and walked out to the platform at the end of the carriage. Something delayed him a few seconds, as I heard the click of the little Iron gate two or three times, as if he could not get it open. Just as he got out on to the step the train moved off and as he was alighting on the platform he fell with his head well back from the train, but the train caught him by the feet somehow and dragged him under. Death must have been instantaneous.

NAMBOURS NOBLE SPIRIT
Gratitude was freely expressed at Beerwah last weekend when it was given out here that Nambour had borne the cost of the burial and had accorded a Military Funeral to the returned soldier, a resident of Beerwah, who fell while alighting from a train and was killed at Beerwah Station last Saturday week. This kindness was especially gratifying to the widow of the deceased. It was also stated that the Nambour Branch of the Returned Soldiers and Sailors League organised a Military Funeral , and it was realised that possibly the presence of a live League Branch equal to the occasion was the prime moving factor but, obviously the League's action was promptly supported by public spirit and to this co-operation all is due. The feeling this kind act has aroused amongst returned men is gratitude tinged with admiration for the people of Nambour. (Chronicle & North Cost Advertiser, 20 December 1918 - info from Helene Cronin)

Additional Information:

NICHOLS, LOVELL HERMAN
1091, Private, Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, Medical Corps.
b. 08.06.1878 Sydney, NSW.
Enlisted: 16.11.1916 Brisbane, Qld.
d. 07.12.1918 Sunshine Coast, Qld.
Next of Kin: Sophia Maria Nichols –Wife.

Lovell Herman Nichols was born in Baulkham Hills, Parramatta, New South Wales to Samuel Nichols and Mary Ann Shepherd.
Lovell married Sophia Maria Sellin in Parramatta, New South Wales in 1901 and they had 6 children. Sophie was born at North Pine River, Caboolture on 12 Aug 1878 to Franz Carl and Auguste Albertine Sellin. She died 29 Sep 1962 in Cairns, Queensland.
Lovell Nichols was in the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force Army Medical Corps during World War One and was returned from Rabaul at the age of 40 years, discharged due to heart disease.
He took up land at Beerwah where his young orchard was promising good returns. In one sudden shocking and unforgettable day in December 1918, Nichols died in a railway accident at Beerwah on the North Coast Line. He was apparently alighting from a carriage when he was seen to be standing on the footboard talking to a friend. As the train moved off it was thought he was struck by the open door of the carriage and knocked down on to the line. Another witness reported as soon as the train stopped he said good night, and went to step out onto the platform. Something must have delayed him a few seconds, as she heard the click of the little iron gate (or door of the carriage) two or three times, as if he could not get it open. Just as Nichols got out on to the step the train moved off and he was caught by the feet and dragged under the train. He was put onto the train for Nambour to receive medical help but died before he arrived.
(Platforms at the smaller stations along the North Coast line at that time were very short or non-existant. Passengers in end carriages had to jump down from the carriage step onto the ground to exit the train.-Ed.)
Nichols’ wife followed by a later goods train, remaining in Nambour until after the funeral on Sunday afternoon.
It was a large funeral with the cortege led by the Nambour Town Band according Military Honours and a squad of returned soldiers acting as pall-bearers; a volley was fired over the grave and the "Last Post" sounded. The service was conducted by the Rev. C. Hall.
The local Repatriation Committee secretary, Arthur Henry Brookes saw to immediate needs of the family and notified the Landsborough committee. Mrs. Nichols and family sincerely thanked the community and said the kindness shown by all both at the funeral and following was especially gratifying.
Source: National Archives of Australia; Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton) 9 December 1918; The Brisbane Courier 9 December 1918; Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser 13 December 1918.

From the Genealogy Sunshine Coast publication
“AND THEIR NAMES SHALL LIVE FOREVER…”
REMEMBERING MILITARY PERSONNEL IN THE OLD MAROOCHY SHIRE CEMETERIES – BOOK 2, THE SMALL CEMETERIES (DIDDILLIBAH, EUMUNDI, GHEERULLA, MAPLETON, OLD NAMBOUR, YANDINA)

Peachester / Beerwah Honour Roll, Peachester Community Hall

Beerwah / Peachester Honour Roll, Beerwah RSL and Citizen`s Memorial Club, Beerwah Parade, Beerwah

Shire of Landsborough Roll of Honour, Caloundra RSL, West Terrace, Caloundra

"Brisbane Courier" 9 December 1918 p 6
"Gottlieb Raddatz & Extended Kuhn & Sellin Families & Descendants of Queensland: etc.etc." By Jeffrey E. Hopkins, Brisbane 1977 - ISBN 0646337025