15 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

Killed in action over Denmark returning from a bombing mission over Germany on the 16 July 1942.

Buried in the Esbjerg (Fourfelt) Cemetery, Denmark.

The Burnley Express reported that Sergeant (Flight Engineer) Robinson Nicholls had been confirmed has having been killed in action when returning from a bombing mission over Germany. He had previously been reported as being "missing in action". He was the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Nicholls of 287, Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, Lancashire.

Flight Engineer from 9 March 1942; First Operation flown 29 May 1942. Total of 9 operational flights totaling 70 hours 30 minutes flying time.

Nicholls was one of the crew of Stirling Bomber; Serial Number W7524 X1D LS-D, built by Austin Motors Ltd between December 1940 and February 1942. Contract No.B982939/39.

Airborne at 18:40 on 16th July 1942 on operation L_beck from RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire, in an attempt to reach the target using cloud cover and the approaching dusk. They were shot down by Flak and crashed at 21:30 in the tidal area of the River Sneum, 8 km SE of Esbjerg, Denmark (55° 26' 19.49N . 8° 30' 24.66E). Their Stirling Bomber plane was returning from a bombing raid on Lübeck . Those killed are buried in Forvfeld Cemetery, Esbjerg.

Killed in action were; P/O R. L. Melville RAAF; Sgt D. R. Barrett; Sgt R. Nicholls (Flight Engineer); P/O K. Arnott; Sgt H. J. I. Lockhart; Sgt J. E. F. Waylan.

Two injured crew members were rescued by the authorities at Sønderho, Fanø Island and taken prisoners. Sgt G. A. Donovan was interned in Camps 8B/344, PoW No.25041 with Sgt L. C. Masfen, PoW No.25671.