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9215 71st (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Jeremiah Nice was born in Sudbury in late 1884, the son of George and Sarah Nice. His father was a carter and the family lived at 8 Walnuttree Lane before moving to Overalls Yard, Gregory Street. By the age of 17 Jeremiah had moved to Farningham in Kent, and was living with relatives; Charles and Isabel Nice. His uncle was employed as a coachman and Jeremiah worked with him as a groom.
Jeremiah enlisted in Sittingbourne, Kent to serve with the Royal Field Artillery. He first served in ‘a theatre of war’ in France on 7 July 1915. The Brigade formed part of 15th (Scottish) Division and Jeremiah embarked for France when the whole Division was sent in July 1915.
The Division saw action that autumn at the Battle of Loos (25 September –
15 October 1915). The following spring found them positioned north of Loos near the village of Hulluck when the enemy launched an attack at dawn on 27 April 1916 using chlorine and phosgene gas. The concentration of gas was so heavy that it penetrated through the men’s gas helmets. On 11 May the enemy attacked an area of the frontline called ‘the Kink’ with an unprecedented bombardment and demolished the British frontline. Hasty counter attacks failed and the British made a final attempt to recapture the lost ground on 14 May but they failed and retreated to a new line further back.
Jeremiah was killed in action age 31 on 14 May 1916 and lies buried in Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. He was awarded the
1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
A Cross of Remembrance was laid by his grave in October 2012.
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