David Scott Nichol WWII

(no record of awards but these he would have qualified for at a minimum) Pacific Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Hong Kong Bar, 1939-45 War Medal

Winnipeg Grenadiers, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps

WW II

12 December 1921 – 12 October 1942

David Scott Nichol was born in Bateman, Saskatchewan 12 December 1921. His war records state he was born in 1919, but like many of his peers and his brother Bill as well, they had lied about their age in order to enlist. His Parents, Walter and Olive (Johnston) Nichol moved back to Darlingford shortly after David was born. David was living at home, on the Darlingford farm, when he enlisted. On his enlistment papers he expressed interested in someday running his own garage.

David enrolled with the Winnipeg Grenadiers, a unit that had originated in Morden, Manitoba 01 April 1908 but was re-designated Winnipeg Grenadiers 02 May 1910. The Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers travelled from Winnipeg to Vancouver by train (CPR) and on 27 October 1941 his Company boarded the PRINCE ROBERT, a converted cruiser bound for Hong Cong, arriving 16 November. Equipment marked for ‘C’ Force was loaded on the ship DON JOSE, but would never reach Hong Kong as it was rerouted to Manila when hostilities commenced. These two units had been provided with minimal training as it was though that they would be required to provide Garrison Duty at Hong Kong. On 08 December 1941 the Japanese invaded Hong Kong and the British and Canadian Forces were soon overwhelmed. The fighting lasted 17 ½ days and at 1515 hrs 25 December 1941, the white flag of surrender was hoisted.

Of the 1975 Canadians, 290 were killed in action, 493 wounded, 264 would die as POW’s of which Lance Corporal David Scott Nichol was one. He lasted until 12 October 1942 and died of Acute Enteritis, an inflammation of the small intestine, which was probably brought on by the starvation diet of very bad food supplied by the Japanese. Lance Corporal David Scott Nichol is buried at the Sai Wan War Cemetery.

In keeping with its custom, the Manitoba Government named a provincial body of water in his memory in 1957, Nichol Lake is northeast of North Knife Lake, Manitoba.