Henry James Nicholas
Born 11 Jun 1891 - Died 23 Oct 1918
- Service number
- WWI 24213 AWMM
- Also known as
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- WW1 Sergeant AWMM Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion AWMM
- War
- World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
About
- Title
- —
- Forenames
- Henry James AWMM
- Surname
- Nicholas AWMM
- Ingoa
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- Also known as
- —
- Service number
- WWI 24213 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
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- Religion
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Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 11 Jun 1891 AWMM
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
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- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
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- Post war occupation
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- Next of kin
- Richard Nicholas (father), 35 Berry Street, Saint Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- —
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
- Campaign
- 1914-1919 AWMM Western Front AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- WWI 24213 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Victoria Cross (VC) AWMM
Victoria Cross - London Gazette, 11 January 1918, p724, Rec No 1804: For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. Pte Nicholas, who was one of a Lewis Gun section, had orders to form a defensive flank to the right of advance which was subsequently checked by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from an enemy strong point. Whereupon, followed by the remainder of his section at an interval of about twenty-five yards, Pte Nicholas rushed forward alone, shot the officer in command of the strong point, and overcame the remainder of the garrison of sixteen by means of bombs and bayonet, capturing four wounded prisoners and a machine gun. He captured this strongpoint practically singlehanded, and thereby saved many casualties. Subsequently, when the advance had reached its limit, Pte, Nicholas collected ammunition under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. His exceptional valour and coolness throughout the operations afforded an inspiring example to all. AWMM - Military Medal (MM) AWMM
Military Medal - London Gazette, 13 March 1919, p3453, Rec No 2870: Operations on Welsh and Bon Avis Ridges - 28th September to 1st October 1918. For fearless leadership and contempt of danger during the operations - particularly on 29th September when after a successful advance, his Company's flank was in the air and position critical. By skillful handling and heroic example, he inspired his men and so enabled his half Platoon to break an enemy attack of superior numbers. The success of the operations was due in a considerable measure due to his great example and contempt of danger. AWMM - British War Medal (1914-1920) AWMM
- Victory Medal AWMM
- Victoria Cross (VC) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW1 Unknown AWMM Carpenter/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW1 27 May 1916 AWMM
HMNZT 54 or HMNZT 55 AWMM Vessel was Willochra or Tofua AWMM Private AWMM 13th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company AWMM New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
- Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- WW1 Sergeant AWMM
Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion AWMM - Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Henry Nicholas was the son of Richard and Hannah Nicholas.
Killed in Beaudignies
Buried by the Bishop of Nelson, 29 October 1918
Park of Remembrance memorial unveiled at 4pm, Wednesday, 7 March 2007. A free-standing portrait of Sergeant Nicholas aged 27 years, cast in bronze, one third larger than life size, the figure stands on a two-metre-high base facing the Bridge of Remembrance. Christchurch sculptor Mark Whyte was commissioned by the Canterbury District RSA and the Christchurch City Council.
Victoria Cross held by the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch, New Zealand AWMM
About death
- Death
- 23 Oct 1918 AWMM
Age 26 AWMM - Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
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- Cause of death
- Killed in Action AWMM
- Death notes
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- Cemetery
- Vertigneul Churchyard, Romeries, Nord, France AWMM Grave 15. AWMM
- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
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- Memorial name
- Victoria Cross commemorative paving stone, National Memorial Aboretum, Staffordshire, EnglandPublic - Sarndra - Researcher - 29 November 2015 - personal visit
- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
- Dunedin, Victoria Cross winners' plaque, Queens Gardens, Dunedin, New Zealand AWMM
- Family grave memorial, Bromley Cemetery, Christchurch, New Zealand AWMM
- Memorial statue, Park of Remembrance, Christchurch, New Zealand AWMM
- Memorial plaque, Comines-Warneton, Belgium AWMM
Sources
- External links
- Military personnel file
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R21095511
Further Reference - Portrait. Archives New Zealand. National Collection of War Art.
http://warart.archives.govt.nz/node/310
Further Reference - NZ History online. Information and photographs.
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/memorial/henry-james-nicholas
Further Reference - Christchurch City Libraries. People - biography.
http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/People/HenryNicholas/
Further Reference - Ministry for Culture and Heritage, New Zealand History online. Henry Nicholas Memorial, Park of Remembrance, Christchurch.
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/memorial/henry-nicholas-memorial
Further Reference - Ministry for Culture and Heritage, New Zealand History online. Dunedin RSA building, formerly site of the VC winners' plaque.
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/memorial/dunedin-rsa-war-memorial
Further Reference - Birkenhead (Auckland) Returned Services Association website. Victoria Cross.
http://www.birkenheadrsa.com/victoria-cross.html
Further Reference - A Street Near You record
https://astreetnearyou.org/person/263604/-
Further Reference - Commonwealth War Graves Commission Casualty record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/263604
Further Reference - Wikidata Entity
http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q5723866
Further Reference
- Military personnel file
- References
- McDonald, W. (2013). Honours and Awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War, 1914-1918. (3rd ed.). Hamilton, N.Z.: Richard Stowers.
- Harper, G., & Richardson, C. (2006). In the face of the enemy: The complete history of the Victoria Cross and New Zealand. Auckland, N.Z.: HarperCollins NZ.
- The Register of the Victoria Cross. (1997). (3rd ed.). Cheltenham, England: This England.
- New Zealand Army Expeditionary Force. (1917). Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force Volume II. Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
33: 12 - Harper, G., & Richardson, C. (2006). In the face of the enemy: The complete history of the Victoria Cross and New Zealand. Auckland, N.Z.: HarperCollins NZ.
Harper, G. & Richardson, C. (2006). p.110-112 - The Register of the Victoria Cross. (1997). (3rd ed.). Cheltenham, England: This England.
The Register of the Victoria Cross. (1997). (3rd ed.). p. 239 - Beattie, P.J. & Pomeroy, M. (2013-2020). Onward : portraits of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (vols 1-5). Auckland, New Zealand: Fair Dinkum Publications
Vol. 1: Includes portrait - Information kindly provided by family
- Ferguson, David (1921). The history of the Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.E.F. 1914-1919. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd: Auckland, N.Z.
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