Henry James Nicholas
Private, First Battalion Canterbury Infantry Regiment. New Zealand Expeditionary Force
- Register No.
- 928 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- First Battalion Canterbury Infantry Regiment. New Zealand Expeditionary Force (register: Canterbury Regiment, NZEF) all Canterbury Regiment, NZEF VCs →
- Date of action
- 3 December 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 11th January 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 11th June 1891 at Lincoln in New Zealand
- Died
- in action on 23rd October 1918 at Vertigneul, France
- Memorial / grave
- at Vertigneul Churchyard, France and at the HQ of the Dunedin RSA, New Zealand
Digest of citation
Private Nicholas, one of a Lewis gun section, were ordered to form a defensive flank on the right in the advance. This was subsequently halted by very heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire. Private Nicholas rushed forward alone, his section following at an interval of 25 yards. He shot a German officer commanding a strong point, overcoming the remainder of the 16 in the garrison by means of bombs and bayonets. He captured a machine gun and four wounded prisoners. The enemy post was captured almost single-handed, resulting in the saving of many casualties. When the advance's limit was reached, Private Nicholas, under extremely heavy fire from machine-guns and rifles, collected ammunition
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
NICHOLAS, Henry James. (reg No 928).
Private. First Battalion Canterbury Infantry Regiment. New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on 11th January 1918.
Born on 11th June 1891 at Lincoln in New Zealand.
Killed in action on 23rd October 1918 at Vertigneul, France.
Memorial on grave at Vertigneul Churchyard, France and at the HQ of the Dunedin RSA, New Zealand.
Digest of Citation reads: Private Nicholas, one of a Lewis gun section, were ordered to form a defensive flank on the right in the advance. This was subsequently halted by very heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire. Private Nicholas rushed forward alone, his section following at an interval of 25 yards. He shot a German officer commanding a strong point, overcoming the remainder of the 16 in the garrison by means of bombs and bayonets. He captured a machine gun and four wounded prisoners. The enemy post was captured almost single-handed, resulting in the saving of many casualties. When the advance's limit was reached, Private Nicholas, under extremely heavy fire from machine-guns and rifles, collected ammunition.
Additional information:. Private H J Nicholas, who also held the Military Medal (MM), was promoted to Sergeant. He was later killed in action at Vertigneul .
Additional information
Private H J Nicholas, who also held the Military Medal (MM), was promoted to Sergeant. He was later killed in action at Vertigneul .
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Vertigneul Churchyard, France and at the HQ of the Dunedin RSA, New Zealand
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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