Joseph E. Nichols

PVT Joseph "Joe" E. Nichols
164th Depot Brigade
Dec. 17, 1896 - Oct. 16, 1918

Joseph “Joe” Edward Nichols was born on December 17, 1896. At that time his father, Burton, was 28 and his mother, Kate, was 22. He had four brothers. Joe was the oldest.

A number of addresses are found for Joseph “Joe” Edward Nichols, Including: Palmyra, Kansas, in 1900, Marion, Kansas, on March 1, 1905, and Hess, Kansas, in 1910. By 1918, when Joe filled out his military registration card, he was living in Cimarron, KS. He died on October 16, 1918, in Fort Riley, Kansas, at the age of 21, He is buried in Vinland Cemetery, Vinland, Kansas

PVT Joe Nichols joined the Army and was assigned to the 164th Depot Brigade. Stationed at Camp Funston, Kansas—a major training camp located on the grounds of Fort Riley—the brigade was integral in preparing troops for overseas deployment.

In March 1918, Camp Funston reported some of the earliest known cases of the influenza pandemic that would later be called the “Spanish Flu.”

According to a letter dated October 23, 1918, from Adjutant General Charles S. Huffman to Kansas Governor Arthur Capper, approximately 14,500 cases of influenza and pneumonia were reported at Camp Funston, resulting in 871 deaths among the 65,000 soldiers stationed there. These numbers indicate that nearly one in four soldiers became ill, with a mortality rate of roughly 6% among those infected. Private Joe Nichols, who died at Fort Riley on October 18, 1918, was almost certainly among the victims of this devastating epidemic.

In search of some eye-catching imagery to boost morale surrounding US involvement in WWI, the US military commissioned the English-born photographer Arthur Mole and his assistant John Thomas to make a series of extraordinary group portraits. Between 1915 and 1921, with the dutiful help of thousands of servicemen and staff from various US military camps, the duo produced around thirty of the highly patriotic images, which Mole labelled “living photographs”.

It is quite likely that PVT Joe Nichols is in the picture of the U.S. Armed Forces service flag, ca. 1918. (See photos)

A Brief Review of the U.S. Army 164th Depot Brigade

The 164th Depot Brigade played a pivotal role in the U.S. Army’s efforts during World War I. Stationed at Camp Funston, Kansas—a major training camp located on the grounds of Fort Riley—the brigade was integral in preparing troops for overseas deployment.

Primary Functions

Depot brigades like the 164th were responsible for:

Receiving and Organizing Recruits: They processed new enlistees and draftees, providing them with necessary uniforms and equipment.

Initial Military Training: Recruits underwent basic training to prepare for combat roles.

Deployment Coordination: After training, soldiers were assigned to combat units and sent to the front lines in Europe.

Demobilization: Post-war, the brigade managed the out-processing and discharge of returning soldiers.

Camp Funston, under the administration of the 164th Depot Brigade, had the capacity to train over 50,000 troops, drawing recruits from across the Great Plains states.

Notable Events

Influenza Outbreak: In March 1918, Camp Funston reported some of the first cases of the influenza pandemic, which would later be known as the “Spanish Flu.” The outbreak significantly impacted troop readiness and highlighted the challenges of managing large military populations during a health crisis.

Human Flag Formation: A striking example of wartime morale-building was the formation of a “living photograph” by soldiers of the 164th Depot Brigade. They assembled to create a massive image of the U.S. service flag, a display of unity and patriotism.

Legacy

The 164th Depot Brigade’s efforts were crucial in ensuring that American forces were adequately prepared for combat in World War I. Their work at Camp Funston exemplifies the broader logistical and training challenges faced by the U.S. military during rapid mobilization.