NICKLIN George Francis Reuben

Sir George Francis Reuben Nicklin (1895 - 1978) was better known as Sir Frank. He was born at Murwillumbah, New South Wales and as a teenager, moved with his family to Beerwah in Queensland about 1910. He worked on his parents' banana plantation before enlisting in the Australian Army in 1916. George Francis Reuben Nicklin enlisted in the AIF ( Australian Imperial Forces) on 5 May 1916 and joined the 49th Battalion on the Western Front in July 1917. Three months later he was promoted corporal. On 5 April 1918 at Dernancourt, France, he took charge when his platoon commander was killed, led his men bravely and won the Military Medal. Sent to England in June for officer-training, Nicklin was commissioned in January 1919 and promoted lieutenant in April. His A.I.F. appointment terminated in Brisbane on 16 September 1919. After his discharge Nicklin returned to Queensland, purchased and started a pineapple farm at Palmwoods, Queensland which he turned into a successful farming business and he took a leading part in the organisation of the Queensland fruit industry. Frank married Georgina Robertson Fleming (died 1960) in 1921 but they didn't have any children. In the 1920s Frank was officer bearer with local fruit growing associations, which led him into politics. On 11 June 1932 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly as the Country Party's candidate for the seat of Murrumba. In 1941 he was elected Leader of the Queensland Country Party. From 1950 he held the seat of Landsborough. At the state elections in 1957, Nicklin was elected premier, as part of a coalition government. While premier, Nicklin held portfolios of chief secretary (1957 - 1963) and State Development (1963 - 1968), He was a serious and determined, yet friendly leader known as 'Honest Frank'. He resigned as premier in January 1968 and retired from parliament the following month, after taking ill and was appointed KCMG (Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George), a reward for distinguished service. On 22 January 1969 he received his Knighthood from Lord Casey at Government House in Canberra. Sir Frank died at Nambour on 29 January 1978.
(Description taken from: Australian Dictionary of Biography, v. 15, 1940 - 1980)

Photo: Frank Nicklin as a Corporal in the army. Inscribed on original: 'With much love, from Frank Nicklin-Australia.' (Description supplied with photograph.)

The Chronicle 19 July 1918 p3 reports - It is a distinct pleasure to be able to record that Corporal Frank Nicklin the son of our old friend Geo F Nicklin has been awarded the Military Medal.

The Chronicle 2 August 1918 p5, Mr and Mrs.G.F.Nicklin, Ruth Street, South Brisbane, are in receipt of a cablegram from their son, Corpl.Frank Nicklin, M.M., stating that he is now in England training for his commision.

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

Image No. E01738 Australian War Memorial Description: Place Western Front (Belgium), Ypres Area, Locre Date made 7 March 1918 Group portrait of the NCOs of the 49th Battalion. Left to right, back row (short row): Corporal (Cpl) Rayner; Cpl Edwards; Cpl McPhee; Cpl Rooker; Lance Corporal (LCpl) F. G. McLean; LCpl R. Kelly-Healy. Third row: 3469A Cpl J. A. Boyns (killed in action 9 June 1918); Cpl Woodhead; Cpl B. Lynch; Sergeant (Sgt) Mundt MM; Cpl Hare; Cpl Harper; Cpl Sower; Cpl H. Hall; Cpl Turner (killed in action); Cpl Hannaford; 5094 LCpl L. S. Glasby (killed in action 25 April 1918); Cpl Kirk; 3381 Cpl L. W. F. Hooper (killed in action 25 April 1918); Cpl D. Wilson; Cpl C. L. Cran; Cpl Simmons; LCpl Clark; LCpl W. Bald; Cpl F. J. B. Finch; LCpl J. H. Gordon. Second row: Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS) Nowlan; Cpl Lane; Cpl Fyfe; 2907 Cpl W. G. Swan (died of wounds 24 April 1918); Cpl R. F. Baylis; Cpl W. T. Watts; Cpl G. F. R. Nicklin MM; Cpl Crouch; Cpl Cardwell; Cpl Bayliss; Cpl Cooper DCM MM and Bar; Cpl Walker; Cpl F. De Vis; Cpl C. J. Griffin; Sgt Trotman DCM; Cpl E. S. Spencer; Cpl Moore; Cpl Troughtan MM; Cpl Rickards; Cpl MacFarlane MM. Front row: Sgt Barrett; CQMS Fairchild; Sgt Patterson; Sgt Illich; 3824 Sgt F. Lewis (killed in action 5 April 1918); Sgt Pascoe (killed in action); Sgt Horton; Sgt Brown; Sgt H. H. Gould; RQMS Carson; Company Sergeant Major (CSM) Reiman MM; Sgt F. F. Bradford; Sgt Wardell; Sgt Webb; Sgt Smith; Sgt Ellmour; Sgt Leitherhand; Sgt Sharpe MM and Bar; Sgt Saltmarsh. Note the dog in the front row.

Individual photo:John Oxley library SLQ