In 1901 James Albert was age 2 and the family were living at Ty Newydd Farm, Summer Hill, Dyserth, Denbighshire.   James Albert’s father was Abraham Nickeas, 25, a Gardener who had been born in Patricroft, Lancashire.  His mother Elizabeth was 26 and had been born in Ormskirk, Lancashire.   His sister Elizabeth was  6 and brother Abraham 5.  James had been born in Wionterbourne, Gloucestershire.   Also in the household  was Brother-in-Law, James Riding 18, a Gardener.

By the 1911 census they were living at Belmont Villas Mold Road, Connahs Quay, Flintshire.  Abraham 36 was still a Gardener. His wife of 17 years, Elizabeth was 37.  Daughter Emily (Elizabeth on last census) 16 was a Dressmaker’s Apprentice. Abraham was  15, and an Engineer.  James was  12 and at School.   There were 3 Boarders.  Two were Gardeners and the third one had  no occupation recorded. There was a  visitor Matthew Weir 29  also a gardener.

There is an index card for James A Nickeas in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Record Office in Hawarden. (Flintshire WW1 Index Cards Connah’s Quay F46 :- Nickeas, James Albert). The address given is Belmont Villas, Connah’s Quay, Flintshire.  The regimental details above are confirmed. It tells us that he enlisted on the  15th December 1917. He died of wounds at Rouen  on the 14th October 1918.  The card was signed by Elizabeth Nickeas on the  4th October 1919.

James Albert had named his parents back home in Connah’s Quay as his next of kin. He died intestate at No 3 Stationary Hospital Rouen. He had no wife or children.

He is named on the Absent Voter’s List of 1918 – 1316 NICHENS*, Jas. Albert , Belmont Villas   17505   Pt., S.A. Infy. with presumably, his brother.. -1315 NICHENS, Abraham J.R.**   Belmont Villas   62047  Spr. R.E.   Abraham is also shown on the 1919 Absent Voter’s List as “Nichens, Abraham J.R.” living at Belmont Villas, Connah’s Quay, his was a Sapper in the Royal Engineers – 62047 Spr., R.E., B.E.F.   His entry number on that list was 563.

* Real name Nickeas, he died 14th October 1918 at Rouen, he is on the Connah’s Quay and Shotton Cenotaph

** Hawarden Parish Registers – Baptisms – Page 151 No 1204  24th November 1895, born 12th September 1895.  Abraham John Robert*  s/o Abraham & Elizabeth Sarah NICKEAS, Queensferry, Gardener ( (nee RIDING or RIVING) – St. Ethelwold’s.    (St. Ethelwold’s didn’t open until 1902, I believe that St. Andrew’s Church was used as St. Ethelwold’s until it was built)

Acknowledgement and thanks to the Great War Forum for help given –

I* asked for help on the Great War Forum:-

Army Forum:-   Waddell – Posted Today, 05:36 AM   19th April, 2011

MotherMave, You could have a look in Buchan’s history of the South African Brigade in France-

http://www.archive.o…chrich_djvu.txt – Around Page 241. This is an excellent resource.

He appears on this South African Ancestry ## database- http://www.ancestor.co.za/NICK?snm=1

Looks like you need to join to access these records. -Scott

John Duncan – Posted Today, 10:13 AM 19th April, 2011

It would appear that James was not at Delville Wood, he is not listed on the Roll Call, but he is probably a replacement post Delville Wood, he would have been at the Battle of Arras when the South Africans were decimated again when they attacked the Chemical Works at Rouex as part of the 9th (Scottish) Division they were reduced to one composite Battalion following that. You can read more about that on my website if you wish. They were decimated a third and final time in 1918 when they became virtually spent as a fighting force after much exemplary service.

I have the war diaries for Delville Wood and Arras for all SA Battalions, the 9th Division History and the SA in France by Buchan as already mentioned will give you a good idea of what he served through. – John

With reference to the Website ##  above given to me by WADDELL from the Army Forum, I have contacted them in South Africa and they have kindly sent his records to me  It seems that his Father was Abraham NICKEAS and his Mother was Elizabeth Sarah NICKEAS, both of Belmont Villas, Connah’s Quay and they showed up on the “Next of Kin” papers of James Albert NICKEAS who died intestate at No.3 Stationary Hospital, Rouen on the 14th October 1918.   A Declaration was also signed by Abraham and witnessed by Thomas John RENEY on the 26th March 1919.   He was not married nor had any children.

There are 2 x entries, in different registers,for James Albert Nickeas in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901- 1929  – The first tells us he  died in the 3 Stationary Hospital France  and the sole Legatee was his father Abraham who was paid £5. 16s 7d on the 24th July 1919 and his War Gratuity of £3 on the 17th December 1919.   The second tells us that he died of wounds and the sole Legatee was his father Abraham who was paid £4 on the 13th October 1919.

James Albert Nickeas was also named on the Memorial Plaque in St.Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay.