Jeff Nicklin

Lieutenant Colonel Jevon Albert "Jeff" Nicklin OBE (December 10, 1914 – March 24, 1945) was a Canadian Army officer and football player. He fought during World War II and was one of the first Canadians to jump on D-Day, 6 June 1944, and led the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion in the Battle of the Bulge and later when it jumped into German territory in Operation Varsity during the final stages of the war in March 1945. Nicklin was killed in action during the operation.

The native of Winnipeg was born in 1914, the son of Percy Harold Nicklin and Eva Louise Nicklin. He played Canadian football as a back with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1934 to 1940. In 1935, Winnipeg became the first Western team to capture the Grey Cup. While Nicklin was there, the club advanced to the Grey Cup twice more in 1937 and 1938, before losing in the finals. In 1939, Winnipeg returned to capture the 27th Grey Cup by defeating the Ottawa Rough Riders. Nicklin received Western all-star honours as an end in 1937 and 1938, and as flying wing in 1939.

He also played in the Tea Bowl for the Canadian Army football team against American Army team at White City Stadium on February 13, 1944 in London, England (the Canadians won 16-6, and Nicklin scored the final touchdown).

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