Preece Family Tree

LATE COL-SERGT. NICKS

Funeral at the Higher Cemetery
Exeter

The funeral of the late Colr-Sergt. W. J. Nicks took place on Saturday at two o'clock at the Higher Cemetery. At the special desire of Mrs. W. J. Nicks, widow, the ceremony was of a quiet and simple character, but was attended by a number of the late Colr.-Sergt.'s old Volunteer friends, some of whom had served with him in C Company of the 1st. R.V. Others had signified their regret at being unable to attend in order to pay a last tribute to their old comrade owing to a Territorial engatement at Honiton.

The service was conducted by the Rev. A. O. C. Longridge, and the coffin, which was of polished elm with brass mountings, bore the inscription: "Walter John Nicks, aged 54, died June 28th, 1910." The grave was situated near to that of the late Sergt.-Major Lee.

The chief mourners were Mrs. W. J. Nicks (the widow), Mr E. F. Nicks and Mr. W. H. Nicks (brothers), Mrs E. F. Nicks (sister-in-law), Mr. Henry Lear (cousin), Mrs. Crick (sister-in-law), and Mr. Mayne (friend). Among deceased's old friends at the graveside were Bugle-Major Bourke, Colr.-Sergt. Manning, Sergt. Harrison, Sergt. H. Way, Sergt. R. Webber, Sergt. Williams, Q.M.S. Towill, Q.M.S. Piper (retired), Pte. S. Way, Sergt. Dowell, Lance-Corpl. Denham, Pte. G. Searle Smale (nephew of deceased), Corpl. Forward, Mr. H. Gore, Mr. S. Melhuish, Pte. G. Down, Pte. F. Kerslake, Mr. W. Searle, Mr. Marshall Jose, Mr. F. Pretty, Mr. H. Bishop, Pte. R. T. Harris, Mr. H. Lamacraft, Pte. J. Blachford, Sergt. Western.

The hearse and carriages were supplied by Mrs. Bickford.

The three wreaths on the coffin were: In affectionate remembrance. He giveth His beloved sleep; from the widow; Edwin and all at 23, Portland-street; Brother Bill. The others being: With heartfelt sympathy from Louie, George and family; With sincere sympathy from loving niece, Ethel; With love and dear sorrow, niece, Emily; In loving memory of dear Walter, from Minnie, Jack and children, Braunton; In loving memory of my dear Uncle Walter, Little Minnie; From his loving niece, Louie; With deepest sympathy from a few personal friends; A tribute of sincere sympathy from J. Lamacraft and family; With deepest sympathy from Mr. and Mrs. T. Oliver and family; With deepest sympathy from E. Douglas; In loving memory of Uncle Walter, Ivy; With deepest sympathy from Mr. Geo. Down and Mr. Fred Kerslake (former members of C Company); With deepest sympathy from old comrades in the 1st R.V.; In remembrance, from his old comrade, H. H. Brimblecombe; With sympahty from Mr. and Mrs. J. Short; Mr. and Mrs. Pattison, Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs and Mr. Gardiner (London), and Rosie and Bertie.

[Deaths.]

NICKS. - June 28th, at St. Sidwell's, Exeter, Walter J. Nicks (formerly Colour-Sergeant C Company 1st R.V.), aged 54.

DEATH OF AN EXETER VOLUNTEER.

A well-known Volunteer, in the person of Colr.-Sergt. W. J Nicks (retired), C Company 1st R.V., of Exeter, passed away last evening. The deceased, who was 54 years of age, was a very keen and ardent Volunteer. He took Volunteering seriously. He was, while on parade, "every inch a soldier" - did his duty himself, and expected others to do the same. His record was one of which any man might be proud. For years he never missed a single drill, and nightly on the ramparts at the Castle Yard he might have been seen in the old days for something like 15 or 20 years drilling the recruits. He served in the Battalion for nearly 30 years, and was among the first recipients of the Long Service medal. Colr.-Sergt. Nicks attended the autumn manœuvres on Dartmoor in 1874, and was present at every subsequent camp of the Battalion. He was frequently called upon to perform Brigade duties, and was generally respected. He also carried out the duties of Battalion marker at the great Volunteer Review at Windsor. His illness was a long and painful one, and, although he knew the malady he was suffering from was incurable, he bore it with fortitude and cheerfulness. He leaves a widow and two brothers to mourn their loss.

In remembrance of
Walter John Nicks
many years Colour Sergeant First R.V.
died 29th June 1910
aged 54 years

also of
Kate
wife of the above
died 21st Decr 1928
aged 64 years