Henry James Nicholas
Encyclopedia
Henry James Nicholas VC
MM
(11 June 1891 – 23 October 1918) was a New Zealander recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
and Commonwealth
forces.
on 11 June 1891. His parents were Richard and Hannah Nicholas. He attended school in Christchurch, first Christchurch Normal School and then Christchurch East School
. He was then apprenticed to become a builder.
Nicholas was a 26-year-old private
in the 1st Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
during World War I
, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
Later promoted to sergeant
, Nicholas was killed in action on 23 October 1918, near Vertigneul in France
. He is buried in the Vertigneul Churchyard. His Victoria Cross is on public display in the Canterbury Museum.
was the sculptor of the statue.
In September 2008, a plaque in memory of Sergeant Nicholas was unveiled by the community of Zonnebeke
and the New Zealand Embassy in Brussels
, near Geluveld, just south west of the area where Nicholas won the VC.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
MM
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
(11 June 1891 – 23 October 1918) was a New Zealander recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
Biography
Nicholas was born in LincolnLincoln, New Zealand
Lincoln is a town in the Selwyn District of Canterbury, New Zealand. The town has a population of 2,727.-Location:It is located on the Canterbury Plains to the west of Banks Peninsula, 22 kilometres south of Christchurch.-History:...
on 11 June 1891. His parents were Richard and Hannah Nicholas. He attended school in Christchurch, first Christchurch Normal School and then Christchurch East School
Christchurch East School
Christchurch East School is located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand.-History:The school was founded in 1873 and had its centennial celebrations from 5 to 7 October 1973...
. He was then apprenticed to become a builder.
Nicholas was a 26-year-old private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the 1st Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
The New Zealand Expeditionary Force was the title of the military forces sent from New Zealand to fight for Britain during World War I and World War II. Ultimately, the NZEF of World War I was known as the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
- On 3 December 1917, at Polderhoek in BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Private Nicholas who was one of a Lewis GunLewis GunThe Lewis Gun is a World War I–era light machine gun of American design that was perfected and widely used by the British Empire. It was first used in combat in World War I, and continued in service with a number of armed forces through to the end of the Korean War...
section, which was checked by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from an enemy strong-point, went forward followed by the remainder of his section at an interval of about 25 yards, shot the officer in command of the strong-point and overcame the remainder of the garrison of 16 with bombs and bayonets, capturing four wounded prisoners and a machine-gun. He captured the strong-point practically single-handed and thereby saved many casualties. Subsequently he went out and collected ammunition under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire.
Later promoted to sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
, Nicholas was killed in action on 23 October 1918, near Vertigneul in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He is buried in the Vertigneul Churchyard. His Victoria Cross is on public display in the Canterbury Museum.
Commemoration
A bronze statue with biographical details of Nicholas was erected on the banks of the Avon River on 7 March 2007, near the Bridge of Remembrance. Mark Whyte from LytteltonLyttelton, New Zealand
Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour close to Banks Peninsula, a suburb of Christchurch on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand....
was the sculptor of the statue.
In September 2008, a plaque in memory of Sergeant Nicholas was unveiled by the community of Zonnebeke
Zonnebeke
Zonnebeke is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the villages of Beselare, Geluveld, Passendale, Zandvoorde and Zonnebeke proper. On January 1, 2006 Zonnebeke had a total population of 11,758...
and the New Zealand Embassy in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, near Geluveld, just south west of the area where Nicholas won the VC.
External links
- Nicholas H.J.
- New Zealand Troops who have won the Victoria Cross (brief biography details)