NICHOLAS, HENRY JAMES (1891-1918) was born at Lincoln, Canterbury, the son of Richard Nicholas. He was educated at the Normal and East Christchurch schools; served his apprenticeship to a builder in Christchurch, and worked for four years at that trade in Australia. He was a keen sportsman and a successful amateur boxer. In 1916 he enlisted in the 1st field company New Zealand Engineers, and on reaching Europe was drafted to the Canterbury Regiment in France. (Lance-sergeant, Mar 1918; sergeant, Jun). Nicholas received the Military Medal for gallantry. Later he showed exceptional valour and coolness under fire, and was awarded the V.C. for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during an attack, when he led a detachment forward and captured an enemy strong-point and a machine-gun post with all its crew. He was killed in action on 23 Oct 1918.

N.Z. Army records; Ferguson, History of the Cant. Regiment, 1921 (p); Stewart, Official History of New Zealand's Effort in the Great War, France, 1921; London Gaz. 8 Jan 1918, 11 Mar 1919; N.Z. Press Association, 12 Jan 1918.

Reference: Volume 2, page 65

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