Home World War Two Stories from the War Soldier – Nicholls, Clifford – Little but Game

Soldier – Nicholls, Clifford – Little but Game

October 1939

Mexborough & Swinton Times, October 28, 1939

Little but Game

Claimed to be one of the smallest soldiers serving in HM forces, private Clifford Nicholls, son of Mrs WH Nicholls and the late Mr Nicholls of West St, Darfield stands only just over 5 feet high.

He is 25 years of age.

He is attached to a unit “somewhere in England,” and may be moved at any time.

Small though he is, he is game and is enjoying his life as a soldier. He says the food is good, and there is plenty of it.

Before his enlistment a couple of months ago he was employed as a night porter at the Grafton House Hotel, London, and previously worked in the Florence Nightingale Hospital, London.

When at Darfield he gained the St John ambulance certificate when a member of the Wombwell Branch, and is now attached to a medical unit.

About three weeks ago he was in a transport lorry with  other soldiers and was involved in an accident during the blackout, which they were thrown out. He sustained injuries to his ribs but is now fully recovered.

In his regiment he has met a friend of the Leeson’s (of Wombwell). His brother, William Harold Nicholls, is a member of the staff of the Florence Nightingale Hospital in London. This is recently been taken over by the Government for a casualty hospital. He is also a member of the A.R.P.Fire Brigade.

Mrs Nicholls, who is a widow, is carrying on  and is proud of her sons. She still keeps an allotment on the Land Settlement Scheme, and has a good crop of potatoes, and says the hens are in fine condition. She was presented to the Duke of Kent and his recent visit to Darfield, when he viewed the Land Settlement Scheme at Inkerman.