Joseph Lees Nicholls

Joseph was wounded in his trench at Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62) and was killed by a shell as he made his way to the Dressing Station. The Battle of Mount Sorrel, 2nd - 13th June 1916 : The action described as the Battle of Mount Sorrel took place between Hill 60 at Zwarteleen and Hooge. Much of the ground was wooded, as it is again today. The eastern edges of Armagh Wood and Sanctuary Wood lay on a crest line, topped by the heights of Mount Sorrel and Tor Top. The latter was alternatively named Hill 62, as it rose to 62 metres above sea level, some 25-30 metres higher than the shallow ground at Zillebeke and on towards Ypres. Once on the crest line, an occupying force enjoyed excellent observation over the Ypres salient, the town itself, and the approach roads, railways and tracks. This important tactical location was the target for the next German attack. On the 02/06/1916 the Germans attacked the Canadian positions with artillery and the detonation of 4 large mines under Mount Sorrel. At just after 1pm, the German pioneers blew a small number of mines just short of the now-obliterated British fire trench at Mount Sorrel. Five battalions of the 25th and 26th Wurttemburg Divisions, with another eleven behind them, moved to the advance. The main strength fell against 4th and 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, of 8th Brigade, and the right-most Company of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. There was little fire from the British positions here, although machine guns on both flanks did good work, to halt the enemy advance. However, the fight for the shell holes of the old front line was dogged, with much hand to hand combat. At Sanctuary Wood, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry held off the attack at a high cost in casualties. This was part of the Actions in the Spring of 1916 (Western Front), 14th February - 13th June 1916 : Localised operations seeking tactical advantage. They include fighting when the Germans first used Phosgene gas, a major German attack at Vimy Ridge, and the loss and recapture of high ground east of Ypres in the Battle of Mount Sorrel. On a trip home on leave in early 1916 he took a Service in Blairhill Church telling of a soldier's life in Flanders. He enlisted on the 19/03/1915. See Newspaper clippings for a letter sent to Josephs parents by Major General Sir Samuel Hughes, Minister of Militia and Defence for Canada. Joseph was a Presbyterian divinity student (he had spent 1912-13 at McGill University in Montreal (see photos) when he enlisted in the 1st University Co. at Saskatoon early in 1915. He is also remembered on the University of Saskatchewan Memorial Gates, in the Canadian WW1 Book of Remembrance and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour (see photos). Joseph was reburied in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery (see photos). See photos for Joseph's Newspaper clippings x 2, Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Josephs Attestation papers x 2, his name on the Family Plot in Old Monkland Cemetery, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, Joseph's Service Records x 13 and the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Cap Badge.