Henry James Nicholas | |
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Born | Lincoln, New Zealand | 11 June 1891
Died | 23 October 1918† Near Le Quesnoy, France | (aged 27)
Allegiance | New Zealand |
Service | New Zealand Military Forces |
Years of service | 1915–1918 † |
Rank | Sergeant |
Unit | Canterbury Regiment |
Battles / wars | |
Awards | Victoria Cross Military Medal |
Henry James Nicholas, VC, MM (11 June 1891 – 23 October 1918) was a New Zealand recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Born in Lincoln, Nicholas was a carpenter when he volunteered for service abroad with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) during the First World War. He was posted to the 1st Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment and served on the Western Front. He received the Victoria Cross for his actions during an attack on the Polderhoek Spur on 3 December 1917. He was later awarded the Military Medal for his actions in an engagement during the Hundred Days Offensive. He was killed in action three weeks before the end of the war.