Born at Hoddesden, Hertfordshire, c.1823.
Enlisted at Twickenham on the 3rd of May 1842.
Age: 19 years 5 months.
Height: 5' 9".
Trade: Butcher.
Appearance: Fresh complexion. Blue eyes. Light brown hair.
"Absent" from 6 a.m. on the 25th of December to 5 p.m. on the 27th of December 1844. Tried by a Regimental Court-martial and imprisoned 31st of December 1844 — 18th of January 1845.
Deserted from Dublin on the 2nd of August 1849. On rejoining the regiment on the 6th of November was tried by a District Court-martial and imprisoned 9th of November 1849 — 2nd of January 1850.
He also forfeited all of his previous service of 7 years 67 days by this conviction, but this service was restored "by Her Majesty's Gracious order, dated the 27th of October 1856", per War Office authority dated 4th of November 1856.
Embarked for the Crimea aboard the H.T. "Shooting Star" on the 25th of April 1854.
In his "Memoirs",1131 James Doyle, 8th Hussars, mentions Nicholls at theaffair of the Bulganak (19th of September 1854):
"A private named Samuel Nicholson [sic] had his horse blown out of the ranks; as the horse turned the saddle slipped round, off came the hussar, and away went the horse with his saddle and cloak. Poor fellow! he had to do without a cloak till the next man died."
Letter relating to him, and another man from the regiment sent to the Military College, Sandhurst:
"Horse Guards,
9th January 1857.
Sir, — By the desire of the General Commanding-in-Chief I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo and to acquaint you that His Royal Highness has been pleased to select the men named in the margin for the Riding Troop about to be formed at the Military College, at Sandhurst and to request you that you will hold them in readiness to proceed to Sandhurst early in the ensuing weeks according to the route which you will receive from the QuarterMasters Department.
I am, etc., etc.
G. A. Weatherall, DAG."
Similar letters were sent to the Officers Commanding the 4th Light Dragoons, 11th Hussars, the 13th Light Dragoons and the 17th Lancers, listing the names of the men selected.
Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
From Private to Corporal: 4th of January 1857.
Corporal to Sergeant: 18th of March 1860.
Discharged from Chatham Invalid Depot on the 19th of November 1861, as:
"Unfit for further service, This man is recommended to be discharged from the Service in consequence of general debility — the result of long military service. Not aggravated, as far as I am aware, by vice or mis-conduct."
Medical Officer's report:
"Having examined Sergeant Samuel Nicholls I am of the opinion that he is unfit for further service in consequence of Varix of both legs and from impaired general health. Has lost the 1st phalanx of middle finger of left hand, stated to be from the bite of a horse."
Total service of 19 years 34 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 11 months
In India: 3 years 5 months.
Served at Kotah (1858).
Conduct and character:
"They have been good. He was in possession of two Good Conduct badges when promoted to Sergeant He has the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Inkerman and Sebastopol and also the Turkish Medal. He has also the Indian Mutiny Medal for clasp for Central India. Has been twice tried by Court-martial."
Aged 38 years 5 months on discharge.
To live in Red Lion Square, London, after discharge, but he was living in Sheffield in 1875.
Awarded a pension of 1/3d. per day, but on the 6th of November 1880 a letter was sent to the Staff Paymaster at Pontefract re "Required confirmation of his discharge from the Aux. Forces, and that no service can be reckoned for pension unless the official record of the man in question thereof be sent to this office as required under the signature of the War Office."
Further latter to Man, dated the 6th of December 1880: "Name does not appear in Rolls of War Office as being included for service in the Aux. Services."
His pension was however, increased to 1/11d. per day for "18 years' service on the Permanent Staff of the 1st West York's Yeomanry Cavalry", dated the 21st of December 1880.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Inkerman and Sebastopol. Mutiny medal with clasp for Central India.
1881 Census
135 Emily Street, Aston, Warwick.
The 1881 Census Returns show him as a Discharged Soldier, Unemployed Army Man, aged 57, born at Armwell, Herts., with his wife Jane, aged 52, born in Dublin and a son, 14, an Errand Boy, born at Masham, Yorkshire.
In-Pension Form for Chelsea Royal Hospital was sent to him on the 15th of September 1892, but there is no indication if this was taken up.