# Bill Nokes — Harry Heathcote of Gangoil character guide

> Bill Nokes in Harry Heathcote of Gangoil by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Nokes, Mr. William Nokes, Mr. Nokes

**First appearance:** 0000-i-gangoil

## Snapshot

A sullen ex-employee of Gangoil, dismissed by Harry and now drifting toward the Brownbies at Boolabong.

## Who they are

Bill Nokes was turned off the Gangoil payroll by Harry Heathcote, and he has not forgiven it — he is seen lurking at Boolabong among the Brownbies, and Harry reads his shifty answers as proof of arson. Medlicot, who has kept him on at the mill, is slower to condemn, and the disagreement over Nokes becomes a flashpoint in their uneasy truce. Nokes embodies the grudge that haunts Harry's nights and gives a human face to the threat of fire.

## Relationships

### [Harry Heathcote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/harry_heathcote)

_rivalry_

Bill Nokes is a bitter antagonist to Harry, often scheming against him due to personal grudges and class resentment.

### [Giles Medlicot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/giles_medlicot)

_rivalry_

Bill Nokes and Giles Medlicot are adversaries, with Nokes often trying to undermine Giles as part of his broader conflict with Harry.

### [Boscobel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/boscobel)

_social_

Bill Nokes and Boscobel are acquaintances, with Nokes sometimes using Boscobel for information or minor schemes.

### [Jerry Brownbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/jerry_brownbie)

_friendship_

Bill Nokes and Jerry Brownbie are allies, often conspiring together against Harry.

### [Joe Brownbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/joe_brownbie)

_friendship_

Bill Nokes and Joe Brownbie are associates, likely involved in joint schemes against Harry.

### [Jacko](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/jacko)

_rivalry_

Bill Nokes and Jacko are on opposing sides, with Nokes viewing Jacko as an obstacle.

### [Harry Heathcote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/harry_heathcote)

_rivalry_

Bill Nokes is a bitter antagonist to Harry, often scheming against him due to personal grudges and class resentment.

### [Joe Brownbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/joe_brownbie)

_friendship_

Bill Nokes and Joe Brownbie are associates, likely involved in joint schemes against Harry.

### [Harry Heathcote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/harry_heathcote)

_rivalry_

Bill Nokes is a bitter antagonist to Harry, often scheming against him due to personal grudges and class resentment.

### [Giles Medlicot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/giles_medlicot)

_rivalry_

Bill Nokes and Giles Medlicot are adversaries, with Nokes often trying to undermine Giles as part of his broader conflict with Harry.

### [Boscobel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/boscobel)

_social_

Bill Nokes and Boscobel are acquaintances, with Nokes sometimes using Boscobel for information or minor schemes.

### [Jerry Brownbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/jerry_brownbie)

_friendship_

Bill Nokes and Jerry Brownbie are allies, often conspiring together against Harry.

## In the story

### [II: A Night's Ride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/chapters/ii-a-night-s-ride)

Mentioned as a man Harry dismissed and Medlicot employed; Harry suspects he might start a fire.

### [Harry Heathcote's Appeal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/chapters/iv-harry-heathcote-s-appeal)

Suspected by Harry of the arson attempt; his presence at Medlicot's mill confirms Harry's suspicions.

### [VI: The Brownbies of Boolabong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/chapters/vi-the-brownbies-of-boolabong)

A disgruntled former employee of Heathcote, who arrives at Boolabong and declares his intention to thrash Harry Heathcote. He sulks when Joe Brownbie dismisses his bravado.

### [VII: “I Wish You’d Like Me”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/chapters/vii-i-wish-you-d-like-me)

Mentioned as suspected arsonist; Harry criticizes Medlicot for supporting him.

### [VIII: “I Do Wish He Would Come!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/chapters/viii-i-do-wish-he-would-come)

Reported to be at Boolabong on Sunday, suspected of villainy.

### [The Bush Fight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/chapters/ix-the-bush-fight)

Identified by Medlicot as the man who set the fire; later appears with the Brownbie gang on horseback.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters/bill_nokes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harry_heathcote_of_gangoil_se/characters