Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Tibet 1903-04, 1 clasp, Gyantse (4702 Pte. A. Nicholls 1st Bn. Ryl. Fuslrs) nearly very fine £800-£1,000

Alfred Nicholls was born in Holborn, Middlesex in 1874, the son of Charles Thomas Nicholls and Frances Nicholls of 31 City Buildings, Moor Lane, City of London. A cook by trade, he attested for the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) at Hounslow on 24 June 1893, having previously served in the 5th (Militia) Battalion, at Hounslow on 24th June 1893, aged 19. He was convicted and imprisoned for using threatening language to his superior officer and wilfully injuring his equipment &c. on 29 May 1895, and was returned to duty on 29 November 1895.

On 1 December 1901, Nicholls extended his Army service with the colours to complete 12 years service, and re-engaged for the Royal Fusiliers on 4 February 1905 for such term as shall complete 21 years service. He was issued with his Tibet Medal with clasp on 1 February 1905 (his only medallic entitlement), and was paid his Tibet Mission Gratuity on 1 December 1905. He was discharged free on 26 November 1906, after 13 years and 3 months’ service, of which nearly 11 years were spent soldiering in India or Burma.