| Surname: | Nicol |
| Initials: | T A |
| Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Army Number: | 232205 |
| Notes: | Provost Officer. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. Commissioned London Gazette 35530, page 1742, dated 21/4/42. The undermentioned Cadets to be 2nd Lt's 18/1/42, Cameron Highlanders, Thomas Andrew Nicol (232205). Later served 51 Div Pro Coy 10/8/43. OC 108 Pro Coy, 7/7/44. Thomas Andres Nicol. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Military Cross (London Gazette: WO 373/61 Page: 677 -678 None) |
| Citation: | Citation: On surrendering, 22/23/6/42 at TOBRUCH, the Battalion was given three hours grace, so as many officers as could walked away.Lt. NICOL walked due south from 3 am till 6 am with his corporal, batman and runner, arriving just below the EL ADEM escarpment, where they hid all day. He had only a map, compass and a few provisions when he set out. They lost the corporal during the day, who probably joined another party from the Battalion.On 26/6/42 Lt. NICOL plotted his route to south of BUQBUQ - the limit of his map - as follows: NEIMUM, B.512, B.463, Bir HAGFET EL HAREIRA, Bir ED DLEUA, Bir EL HAMERIN, crossed wire at Point 46, Trig 205, SIDI SULIMAN, SAWANI OGIRIN, Bir SUF. They took ten days, covering about 120 miles in the most trying conditions as they did not always find water at the Birs, and were naturally very weak. On 1/7/42 they had to leave the runner as he had been wounded. Lt. NICOL continued alone with his batman.They nearly gave themselves up on 4/7/42 at Bir SUF as they had been three days without food or water. But on their way to the road to find a German convoy they discovered an old encampment with much food and water. They rested here till 10/7/42.They then walked S.E, helped by Arabs now and again. Dvr HOSSACK (who has also been recommended for an award) joined them, but soon after, on 23/7/42, they lost the batman, so Lt. NICOL continued alone with Dvr. HOSSACKThe same day a German truck appeared, salvaging, Lt NICOL and Dvr. HOSSACK hid under an abandoned Indian vehicle. When the Germans approached they seized them, too them two miles into the desert and left them. They drove about in the German vehicle looking for the batman, but as there were several German salvage parties near, finally moved off.On 27/4/42 they reached the Italians at 18.30 hours, but having removed cap and badges of rank, drove fearlessly past sentries and staff cars till they reached the centre of the box. Here they could not escape as there were sentries all round, so they abandoned the lorry and slept in a slit trench.At 06.00 hours they slipped from the box and hid in a wide trench. Three Italians looked at them, but thought they were German as they continued taking nonchalantly. In the evening, though there were groups of Italians moving about, Lt. NICOL and Dvr. HOSSAK worked their way to the wire. A sentry shouted "Arresta" and rushed forward, but they walked away from him without increasing their pace. Just as they thought he would shoot, or they forced to give themselves up, he turned his attention to a working party and they escaped through a hole in the wire. The contacted our lines next morning 25/7/42.Lt. NICOL covered over 200 miles on foot and 130 in the truck, and was at large in most gruelling conditions for 33 days. A very fine feat of courage and endurance.Recommended by, Middle East Representative of M.I.9 and Col D W Clarke, G.S.(I), GHQ ME. and Gen Auchinleck, General Commander in Chief, Middle East Forces. Recommended for an MBE awarded MC. |
| Decoration: | Mention in Despatches (London Gazette: 36456 Page: 1593 April 6, 1944) |
| Citation: | Middle East. |
| Decoration: | Military Cross (London Gazette: 35715 Page: 1697 April 4, 1946) |
| Citation: | For gallant and distinguished services in the field Awarded serving with the 2 Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in the Middle East. |
| Decoration: | Mention in Despatches (London Gazette: 35715 Page: 4158 Sept. 24, 1942) |
| Citation: | For gallant and distinguished services in the field Awarded serving with the 2 Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in the Middle East. |
Provost Officer Appointments: | |
| No appointments recorded | |