Lest We Forget

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I know most do not need to read another war story… but I do want my kids and their kids and their kids, etc. to connect with this war story… since Bruce’s blood runs through them. War is worse than hell and for those that have experienced it, lived through it or paid the ultimate sacrifice, no words can articulate the grief… only remembrance can pay homage to those who took up arms and to those who grieved.  Certainly, far too many who have bequeathed their lives have been forgotten so I want to be sure my future generations can acknowledge and will always remember Bruce Herbert Nickel as the war hero in their family, who did pay the ultimate sacrifice.

I never met Uncle Bruce, in fact, I never really heard of him or thought much about his life until I was well into my 50’s. It was never a topic of discussion at the dinner table or even during Remembrance Day… it was like enough grief had been paid and to bring other, much younger relatives into this circle, was not appropriate or fair.  So, I didn’t ask growing up but now over the last few years with help from others I have learned about Bruce and developed pride plus remorse for his plight.

My uncle was born in Stratford on June 30^th, 1921… he grew up in a house at 153 Huron St… I’m sure, as I did, he horsed around the river, went uptown to hang out and played lots of sports as he grew up in a household with 2 older brothers, a younger brother who died as a child & an older sister (Ferne Robinson, my mother). Bruce attended Avon Public School and Stratford (Central) Collegiate, graduating in 1940. Upon graduation Bruce enjoyed playing rugby and hockey plus began an apprenticeship at the CNR shops in Stratford. He must have been experiencing the joys of life, looking forward to a great future and was as normal as anyone growing up in the 1930’s & 40’s.

But things were changing.  World War II began in Sept 1939 with the German invasion of Poland, then Great Britian declared war… Canada entered WWII on Sept 10^th, 1939. The war got closer to home on Dec. 7^th, 1941, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor and on the next day the United Stares declared war on Japan.  I’m sure like many, Bruce Nickel felt obliged to protect the homeland and democracy but more so sought adventure outside of boring old Stratford, so he enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force, May 17^th, 1941.  He was 21 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, blue eyes & weighed 150 pounds. Bruce trained in St Cathrines, Dunnville & Halifax and by September 1942 was in England, posted to the No. 401 Squadron, RCAF. He was a pilot, flying Spitfires, a single manned, high-performance fighter aircraft, renowned for its speed, agility, and firepower which was critical in defeating Luftwaffe air attacks during the Battle of Britain. I don’t know how many flights Bruce did, or fights he was engaged in, but we do know…

On the afternoon of December 4^th, 1942, the 401 & 402 squadrons were on a fighter sweep over France at the narrowest part of the channel. The Squadron had penetrated about 10 miles into France and a few enemy aircraft were reported in the area, then there was an attack by 5 German Focke-Wulf 190’s. Sergent B.H. Nickel was flying his Spitfire IX serial BS317 and according to the Squadron report, he went into a tail spin and is thought to have crashed as smoke was seen coming from the ground shortly after… but his body never recovered.  On Dec. 18^th his parents (William Fredrick & Gertude Elizabeth Nickel) received a knock on their Huron Street door with the message that Bruce was missing in action, presumed dead…

Bruce was posthumously promoted to Flight Sergent.  His name is memorized at the RCAF Runnymede Memorial in Surry England and on the Stratford Cenotaph by the Avon River as well as in Stratford Avondale Cemetery on the grave marker shared by William, Gertrude and his younger brother Wallace (age 5) Nickel.

I know time heals wounds, but I do not wish time to forget this wound. Remembering a life cut too short, too far from home and fighting for a future he never got a chance to experience… so please remember Bruce Hubert Nickel.

Tom Robinson (Dec. 4^th 2024).