FIRE-HERO'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 28 (Supplement)

FIRE-HERO'S DEATH

RESCUE FEAT RECALLED Through the recent death at Deal, at the age of 77, of Mr. William Nicholls, England has lost a famous lire-fighter. Mr. Nicholls led an adventurous life, and at the ago of 14 joined the training ship Warspite. Three years later he was sailing before the mast in grain ships and clippers to Australia and the Far East, being wrecked on one occasion on a coral reef in the China Seas. He became a lireman at the age of 19, when he joined the London Fire Brigade, and in 1890 he was recommended by his chief, Captain Shaw, tor the reorganisation-of the 13oinbay riro Brigade. He went to Bombay in September of the same year. After serving 21 years in India, he retired an returned to England in 1911. ' While a young fireman in London Mr. Nicholls performed an extraordinary rescue, for which he was awarded Albert medal. As ho was mounting an escape _ woman threw herself from a top window. He grasped her falling with one hand, hanging on to escape with the ether. His faring was witnessed by large crowds be • The Albert medal was presented t him at Buckingham Palace by W Victoria. In 1912 King George,«£ sented him with the King s me long service. In recognition of among the natives mlndi&d .^ oll9 bubonic plague of 1896,, Mr. was awarded another medal*