Edward Hills Nicholson Died 4th October 1918
Edward Hills Nicholson was born in Twickenham on 20th May 1880 the eldest son of Alfred and Letitia (nee Hills) Nicholson. He was educated at the Towers, Crowthorne and Winchester. He joined the Army and was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant on 4th August 1900, The Royal Fusiliers. He served in the South African war and he was promoted to captain on 26th April 1909. On 9th April 1912 he married Ethel Frances Henry in Bombay Cathedral and they had one son Guy born on 2nd February 1914. After the start of the Great War he was employed as Adjutant of the East India Railway.
Edward Hills Nicholson. Photo provided by Jim Bell
Volunteers from 26th November 1914 to 30th June 1915 when he came back to the UK.
He then served in France from the 15th September 1915 before moving onto to Salonika in October where he remained for 2 years. He subsequently returned to France and was killed whilst commanding the Royal Fusilliers 3rd Battalion near Le Catelet; on the Hindenburg line on 4th October 1918. He is buried in Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuille.
He was 3 times mentioned in Despatches and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and bar for gallant and distinguished service in the field.
Name: NICHOLSON, EDWARD HILLS
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers Unit Text: Commanding 3rd Battalion.
Age: 38
Date of Death: 04/10/1918
Awards: D S O and Bar
Additional information: Son of the late Alfred James Nicholson, of Wokingham, Berks.; husband of Ethel Frances Nicholson, of 56, Clarendon Villas, Hove, Brighton.
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. A. 30.Cemetery: UNICORN CEMETERY, VEND’HUILE
56, Clarendon Villas, Hove, Brighton.
The family lived at Chetwood, Wokingham. The Gate-House of this still remains next to St Crispin’s secondary school.