Sapper Bill Nicholas enlisted to serve on July 22 1941.

The prisoner of war was the first of the five Nicholas boys to enlist, and was closely followed by his brothers Corporal George Nicholas (September 13 1941), Corporal Richard 'Dick' Nicholas (October 3 1941), Lance Corporal Ronald Nicholas (December 15 1941) and Sapper Walter Nicholas (January 19 1942).

The boys were five of eight children, sisters Lily, Jessie and Esme rounded out this local Yass family of Welsh born parents Annie and William Nicholas.

Bill first tried to enlist in 1940 while living at his family home “Springfield” on Waroo Road, but as a bricklayer working for his father he was declined due to being in a protected occupation.

As soon as he turned 21 in April 1941, he again applied and was this time accepted.

Bill initially trained at the Sydney show grounds doing army drill before being sent to Tamworth to train in field engineering. After two months of training, Bill embarked on the “Sibajak” on September 17 1941, sailing to Malaya.

He disembarked in Singapore on October 5 1941 as a soldier in the 2/12th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers.

The same month Bill sailed for Malaya, eldest brother George enlisted, serving in the 59 Aust Corps, Field Park Company, RAE.

He was also a bricklayer by trade, and started 12 months training in Australia before being sent to New Guinea.

The next month, two days before Bill's arrival in Singapore, the youngest of the brothers, Dick, enlisted on October 3 1941.

He was 20 at the time. Dick was a mechanic by trade and initially wanted to join the air force as a maintenance crew worker, but was declined because he was flat-footed.

He joined the AIF in the 2/3 Infantry Troop, Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, based in Western Australia, and ended up in Borneo towards the end of the war.

Meanwhile in Malaya, Bill was undergoing further training, "getting used to the jungle and playing footy in our spare time".

Fighting in Malaya was heating up, his unit was sent across the causeway to Gemas to prepare bridges and fuel stores with explosives to defend against the Japanese Army.

On January 14 1942 his unit went into action against the Japanese and in his words, "it was really on then until we got to Singapore". A month later on February 15 1942, he was marched into Changi jail and became a prisoner of war, surviving the infamous Thai-Burma Railway.

In October 1942, George embarked the “George Taylor” from Brisbane, disembarking in Port Moresby, where he served until 1944.

George's building skills were commended, in particular with his expertise in construction of the Bailey Bridge, which was developed during the war. George earned a promotion from Private to Corporal in part due to his expertise and leadership.

George returned to Sydney in May 1944, and continued his military service until March 1946.

Ron Nicholas was the next to sign up in December 1941, joining the 2/14 Australian Infantry Battalion. He was only recently married, and after completing training was posted to New Guinea from September 1943 to May 1944. Following his service in New Guinea, he spent nine months in Borneo from May 1945.

Wally enlisted on January 19 1942, joining George in the 59 Aust Corps, Field Park Company, RAE.  Wally was married to Evelyn with two young children at the time, and to serve his country he had to farewell his young family.

Wally was posted to New Guinea, serving with his brother George from November 1942 to April 1944.

These five boys were just like any other local Yass boys - they were builders, station hands and mechanics. They played football in the Massey Cup and contributed to their town.

It is hard to imagine what their parents must have gone through to have all five of their sons on active duty with one a POW.

Annie Nicholas, like other mothers with sons serving, was given a badge to represent their service. Her badge is especially rare and is currently on display at the Australian War Memorial.

It bears five stars; one star for each of her sons on active duty. While none of these men remain with us, the memory of their contribution lives on.

On ANZAC Day, we shall remember them. Lest we forget.

Anna Scanes - granddaughter to the late Bill Nicholas.