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Cenotaph record

Henry James Nicholas

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Portrait from The Auckland Weekly News, November 28, 1918 Page 34. - No known copyright restrictions

Portrait from The Auckland Weekly News, November 28, 1918 Page 34. - No known copyright restrictions …

Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Henry James AWMM
  • Surname
    Nicholas AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    WWI 24213 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi
  • Hapū
  • Waka
  • Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    11 June 1891 AWMM Lincoln, Canterbury AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Richard Nicholas (father), 35 Berry Street, Saint Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
  • Campaign
    1914-1919 Western Front AWMM
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    WWI 24213 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • 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

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW1 Unknown AWMM Carpenter/Civilian AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes
    Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • 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
Read more

Death

About death

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  • Death
    23 October 1918 AWMM
    Age 26 AWMM
    Vertigneul, France AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
    Killed in Action AWMM
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    Vertigneul Churchyard, Romeries, Nord, France AWMM Grave 15. AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
    Victoria Cross commemorative paving stone, National Memorial Aboretum, Staffordshire, England Public - Sarndra - Researcher - 29 November 2015 - personal visit
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • 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

Roll of Honour

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Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of Henry James Nicholas

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  • We all look up to brave people like you.
    Public - Alesha Marie - 22 April 2015
    Report 
  • We are extremely proud of this gentle, modest young man.
    Public - Angela (Angie) Jones - Other Relative - 6 March 2015
    Report 

Sources

Sources

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Contributors

Command item
Command item
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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
29 November 2015SarndraAuckland, New ZealandResearcher
22 April 2015Alesha MarieNew Zealand WellingtonOther
06 March 2015Angela (Angie) JonesNew ZealandOther Relative

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