WILLIAM NICOL - DCM

WO2 Nicol was the CSM of Left Flank, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards throughout the campaign in the Falkland Islands. During the whole of this time he maintained exemplary standards of personal courage and leadership which inspired similar standards in all members of his company. Three particular occasions stand out:

On 6 June after a 6 hour sea voyage at night in open boats in which most men were completely soaked, the Battalion was ordered to occupy defensive positions on high ground in freezing rain and sleet. Although a number of exposure casualties were taken in other companies, none occurred in Left Flank. This was due to CSM Nicol's tireless efforts in controlling and encouraging his company throughout the night, despite the appaling weather and the fact that he himself was almost at the point of exhaustion.

On 8 June some 12 enemy aircraft involved in the attack on shipping at Fitzroy flew in three sorties at lowlevel over the comapny's position at Bluff Cove. No warning of the enemy aircraft was received but despite this CSM Nicol so rapidly and skilfully organised and controlled his company in firing rifles and machine guns, moving from sangar to sangar with no thought for his own safety, that 2 or 3 enemy aircraft were brought down by the Battalion.

Finally, at Tumbledown Mountain on 14 June his company were ordered to take a strong enemy position as part of a Battalion night attack.

After the initial assault, the company came under constant and devastating machine gun and sniper fire. One of the platoon sergeants was wounded, and subsequently died, and CSM Nicol went forward under sniper fire to rescue him. Wounded in the hand while doing so, he continued to tend the dying sergeant.

He remained cool and calm under heavy fire encouraging and exhorting his men and at the same time advising one of the young platoon commanders how to defeat a seemingly impregnable enemy position.

He remained unperturbed by the weight of enemy small arms fire, artillery and mortar fire thus installing great confidence in men who might well have been frightened. He refused to be evacuated himself, although the pain must have been intense until all other casualties in the company (26 in all) had been evacuated. CSM Nicol's distinguished conduct and conspicious personal bravery throughout the campaign in particular on the three occasions described above have proved an inspiration and example to all ranks and have made an outstanding contribution to his comapny's exceptional achievements