The obituary notice of Commander Bruce Edwin NICOLLS

Bruce Nicolls’ passing.
Of all those who have been exchanging emails about Bruce I am probably the person who knew Bruce longest. He and I joined the Royal Naval College Britannia at Eaton Hall, Cheshire in January 1946 as 13 year old Cadets. Unfortunately our annual newsletter and 5 yearly dinners ceased with the death of the compiler in 2013 so I don’t know how many of us 91 year olds are left.

I think the last time I spoke to Bruce would have been at our Sixty Years On Dinner at Dartmouth in 2006 – he and Jill are on the attendance list. I note that Ralph B is sending condolences to Bruce’s family. Could I ask him to mention my memory of Bruce and add my name to his condolences. I retired as a Commander from the Royal Navy and emigrated to Australia in 1972.

Peter
Peter Poland OAM
(RN/RAN Retd.)

Bruce was "The Flagman" of Portsmouth, deeply and widely respected for his knowledge and enthusiasm as a renowned guest speaker on Vexillology, especially flags related to the British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations.

He and his first wife Jill were particuluarly kind to me as I was invited to stay at their home in Drayton (Portsmouth) during the time of the departure of the ships of the First Fleet Re-Enactment in 1987.

Bruce brought his portable flagpole to the ships of the Re-Enactment Fleet at Portsmouth docks and with due ceremony we hoisted the 'suite of colours’ commemorating the epic event. It was a momentous time in history.

First Fleet Re-Enactment - Raising the Colours of the Australian Fleet at Portsmouth dock 1987 - John Vaughan & Bruce Nicolls.jpeg

Bruce and Jill subsequently came to stay at our place in Sydney where his personal flag was raised and saluted on our home flag-mast. We then drove my car to the FSA international gathering at the Royal Exhibition building in Melbourne.

Bruce Nicolls OBE accompanied Jill, his wife, hoists his personal flag at Castlecrag on the fully rigged flag-mast of John & Marlene Vaughan their hosts, during their visit to Australia.jpeg


Apart from flags, Bruce was a keen collector of naval heritage items including this uniform he specially modelled during my visit to his home. He looked the part of a Royal Navy officer of the time when Great Britain ruled the waves.

Nicolls OBE RN Retd - Bruce.jpg

I am privileged to have a collection of items of correspondence written in his hand with a flowing ink pen.

There are so many fond memories of Bruce and Jill that I will treasure for the rest of my days.

VALE BRUCE NICOLLS OBE, GENTLEMAN AND FRIEND.

Sincerely,

John
John Vaughan OAM
Vexillographer
13 July '23