Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Mr and Mrs Reuben Nicholls. John had been a regular soldier serving in India before the war, he then found employment as a miner at South Leicestershire Colliery, Ellistown before being mobilised as a reservist on the outbreak of war. He was killed whilst cleaning bombs in a trench when one suddenly exploded killing him and two comrades instantly, and wounding several others. Other sources show his first name as James. The War Diary for the 27th July records that the Battalion relieved the 9th Bn. Suffolk Regiment in the front line. The entry for the 28th July records:- 10.00 to 10.30 am. Front line worried by Minenwerfer. One fire bay (D Company) blown in. Retalliation called for from Artillery, result satisfactory. 7.30pm. Bomb accident occurred in X.5. Bombers were cleaning bombs, when for some unknown reason, a bomb exploded in the hands of Private Nicholls, killing Sergeant Faulkner, Private’s Nicholls and Potter and wounding 6 others all belonging to A Company. Lieutenant Gardner transferred to 18th Brigade. Casualties 3 killed (A Company), 1 killed (C Company), 6 wounded (A Company), 2 wounded (C Company).