100 years ago, today Captain George Mclaughlan Niccol died, 11 days before Armistice Day. He was my grandmother’s brother and she often spoke fondly and sadly of his passing. He was awarded the Military Cross, he “commanded his battery on several occasions during the entire Offensive of July, August and September, 1917 with great ability. On several occasions he has cut wire from exposed positions at great personal risk most successfully”. He suffered two episodes of gas poisoning which contributed towards him dying of Spanish ‘Flu. He had only a few months of married life before returning to the front again. I was intending to visit the Somme and his graveside in Putney Vale this year but unforeseen circumstances prevented me and I hope to do so next year.