Our guide to our resources, the information you'll find in them and when to try elsewhere
Sgt Henry James Nicholas V.C. M.M.
Born in Lincoln on 11 June 1891 to Richard and Hannah Nicholas. He attended Christchurch Normal School (in Cranmer Square) and Christchurch East School. He was apprenticed to a builder, and his occupation on enlistment was as a carpenter. Nicholas had a reputation as a good sportsman, and was well known in New Zealand as an amateur boxer. He was unmarried.
Nicholas was officially awarded the Victoria Cross following his bravery in action at Polderhoek (Belgium) on 3 December 1917. He was officially invested with the VC while on leave at Buckingham Palace by H.M. King George V in July 1918.
He was awarded the Military Medal posthumously for his bravery in action during the fight for the bridgeheads at the River Ecaillon near the village of Beaudignies on 23 October 1918, 12 days before the New Zealanders' capture of the town of Le Quesnoy.
Nicholas died 23rd October 1918 aged 26 and was buried with full military honours, on the 29th of October in Vertigneul Churchyard, Romeries. Both of his medals are held by Canterbury Museum.
A memorial to Henry Nicholas was unveiled on Wednesday, 7 March 2007, at the Park of Remembrance - northwest of the Bridge of Remembrance on Cambridge Terrace.
Sources
- New Zealand and Le Quesnoy
- Brief information from NZHistory.Net.NZ.
- David Ferguson, The History of the Canterbury Regiment, NZEF, 1914-19, 1921.
- Search our catalogue for this title.
- Sergeant Henry James Nicholas V.C. memorial unveiled
- CCC Media Release, 28 February 2007.
- War Bravery Recognised
- Article at Stuff*: The Press, Saturday, 17 February 2007.
Find out more
- Casualty details Nicholas Henry James
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site has details of war graves.
- Quid non pro patria : the short, distinguished military life of Henry James Nicholas VC MM
- By John H. Gray, also author of The New Zealand Division in France and Flanders, May 1916 to November 1918: a contemporary diary of pilgrimages in their footsteps April 2002 and July 2005
- Henry James Nicholas VC, MM
- at Flanders 1917, The 90th Commemorations web site.
- 2CNMWC
- 2nd Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast Battalion Group.
- New Zealand. Army. Canterbury Regiment
- Library holdings about this regiment.
WW1
- Internet gateway: World War 1
- Our links to selected web sites about World War 1.
- New Zealanders in World War 1
- Our guide to sources of information about the men and women who served in New Zealand forces during the first World War.
- ANZAC day - 25 April
- ANZAC Day in New Zealand is held on 25 April each year to commemorate New Zealanders killed in war and to honour returned servicemen and women.
- Armistice Day - 11 November
- Marks the anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First World War (1914-1918) and commemorates the sacrifice of those who died serving New Zealand in this and all wars and armed conflicts.
