looking for relatives of Dowlais(Glamorgan) warhero RAF Sgt B.H.Nicholas

[Ad van Zantvoort]

About my RAF WW2 research I am looking for contact with relatives of Sgt Bertram Horace Nicholas. He was the son of Horatio and Blanche Nicholas and Husband of Joy I.Nicholas,of Dowlais, Glamorgan.
Sgt Nicholas was the Flight Engineer of 97 Sqdn Lancaster Bomber(Pathfinders) JB671 shotdown homebound on the 25th March 1944 over Weebosch in The Netherlands. Sgt Betram Nicholas was only 25 years old when he died. Bertram is buried with his comrades at Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery in The Netherlands. I am already in touch with the family of P/O William Coates pilot of the Lancaster aircraft as described. I am aware about the rules of Rootschat but if you pro's have a clue how or maybe an address where I can find Bertram's relatives please send me a PM.

[groom]

I think he was actually born in Plymouth

Bertram H Nicholas
1921 Plymouth
mother Curtice

Marriage

Blanche E Curtice
Horatio J Nicholas
Sept 1920 Plymouth

It looks as if he may have been their only child.

[groom]

His father died in Plymouth

Horatio J Nicholas
Birth  1893
Date of Registration:   Sep 1945
Age at Death:   52
Plymouth
Volume:   5b  Page:   283

[groom]

 His mother was born in Plymouth

Blanche Eveline Curtice
1895 June quarter
Registration district:   Plymouth

She appears to have had an older sister Ethel Mary born 1892, so there may be distant relations from her side.

[groom]

Bertram married in Plymouth - where does the Dowlais come from?

Marriages Mar 1943   
Johnson    Joyce I       Nicholas   
Nicholas    Bertram H       Johnson   
Plymouth    5b   617    

No children that I can see. I think Joyce remarried in 1945 in Plymouth.

[Ad van Zantvoort]

Bertram married in Plymouth - where does the Dowlais come from?

Marriages Mar 1943   
Johnson    Joyce I       Nicholas   
Nicholas    Bertram H       Johnson   
Plymouth    5b   617    

No children that I can see. I think Joyce remarried in 1945 in Plymouth.

Dear "Groom",

        Many,Many thanks for your reply and kind help which is much appreciated!!  About Dowlais I only can tell you the source is the War Grave register of Eindhoven(Woensel) General Cemetery. "Husband of Joy I.Nicholas,of Dowlais,Glamorgan". A mystery to me too where Dowlais is coming from. Hopefully some one can put a light on this.

[jaywit]

My thoughts are that Joyce as a young war widow may have gone back to her parents home.

Problem is that Johnson is a common name but there is this birth in the correct area of Wales.



Joyce I Johnson   mmn   Jones

Jan-Feb-Mar 1925

Registration district: Bedwellty  Monmouthshire

Vol.  11a
Page 109

[groom]

That would fit, if so, the Dowlais on the CWGC site refers to Joy's  (Joyce) place of birth rather than Bertram's.

I think any relatives are going to have to be found from Bertram's parents, as it looks as if he was an only child and didn't have any children himself. Very sad.

From the 1901 census, Horatio had 2 younger brothers - Russell Nicholas born 1898 and Gordon Nicholas born 1900. His parents were Robert Bray Nicholas and Minnie Chidgey.

[IMBER]

The CWGC cemetery registers were compiled post-war. Dowlais will be where she was living when she responded to the CWGC with details for the register.

Imber