Career
Born in Wilmington, South Australia, he received a primary education before becoming a wharf labourer. He served in the military from 1915 to 1917 and was secretary of several unions including the Manufacturing Grocers" Employees Federation and the Wool and Basil Workers Federation. He was active in a number of labour movement organisations, such as South Australian Trades and Labour Council, and was vice-president of the South Australian Labor Party.
In 1943 he was elected to the Australian Senate as a Labor Senator for South Australia.
He held the seat until his retirement in 1967. Nicholls died in 1977.
