Gwyn Nicholls - Later Life and Death

Later Life and Death

In 1923, Nicholls while on holiday in Weston-super-Mare was involved in a rescue attempt involving two young girls. The two girls had been swept out to sea by the undertow and a doctor, Edward Holborow, had leapt into the sea to save them. Although the two girls were saved by another swimmer, Dr Holborow found the rough conditions too challenging, and Nicholls attempted to rescue him. Nicholls reached the doctor and got him close to the shore but Holborow was pronounced dead at the scene. Nicholls only managed to reach shore himself and his health never recovered from the ordeal. On 24 March 1939, Nicholls died in Dinas Powys. Heart failure was given as the cause of death.

On Boxing Day 1949 the "Gwyn Nicholls Memorial Gates" were officially opened at Cardiff Arms Park by his team mate Rhys Gabe. On 16 November 2005 Gwyn Nicholls was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame.