12.07.1941. No.144 Squadron Hampden I AE119 Sgt. E.W. Smith Location: Tunstall, near Withernsea, East North East of Hull, Yorkshire, U.K. +

Operation: Wilhelmshaven.

Date: 12th July 1941.

Unit: No. 144 Squadron R.A.F.

Type: Handley Page Hampden I.

Serial No: AE119

Code: PL-

Location: Tunstall, near Withernsea, East North East of Hull, Yorkshire, U.K.

Pilot: Sgt. E.W. Smith (Injured).

Pilot: Sgt. John (Jack) Nicholl (Injured). (Sadly John died of his injuries on the 13th July.)

W/Op/Air/Gnr: S.J. Easton (Wop/A.G.) ( Injured)
.
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. R. Saunders (A.G.) (Unhurt).

REASON FOR LOSS:

filename*0=(1) Hampden aircraft at Radlett, being prepared to be sent ;filename*1=to operational squadrons.
Hampden aircraft at Radlett, being prepared for sending to operational squadrons.

The crew had taken-off from R.A.F. Hemswell on the 11th July 1941 on an operation to Wilhelmshaven. On return for reasons unknown the aircraft flew into high ground after breaking from cloud near Tunstall, 13 miles East North East of Hull. Yorkshire. Sgt John Nicoll was fatally injured, he was taken to Withensea Cottage Hospital where sadly he died on the 13th July 1941.

filename*0=(2) (Left) Sgt
(Left) Sgt, Pilot, John (Jack) Nicholl (David Nicholl) (Right) Jack’s grave at Dundonald cemetery,Belfast.

Jack Nicholl as what he was known to his family, was the third Son of Robert & Mary Nicholl. of 26 Chichester Road & 16 Cedar Avenue Belfast Northern Ireland. He was Born on 22nd April 1916, & Died on 13th July 1941 Aged 25. In 1939 he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, later posted to 144 Squadron Bomber Command, based at R A F Hemswell in Lincolnshire.
Regarding his Death: My father informed me that he was told that the Aircraft flew into an electric storm, as a result of which the plane crashed. Records show that the Aircraft came down at Tunstall, which is on the east coast north of Withernsea where he died in the Cottage Hospital.
Jack was a very keen Rugby Player and played for Ophir Rugby Club.
David Nicholl.

Burial Details.

NICHOLL, JOHN
Sergeant Pilot, Service No: 973877, Age: 25 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Grave Reference: Sec. B.2. Grave 417. Cemetery: BELFAST (DUNDONALD) CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Robert and Mary E. Nicholl, of Belfast.

Researched by David King. Special thanks to David Nicholl (Jack’s Nephew ) who provided Jack’s photo, and supplied further information to make this remembrance page possible.