Henry James Nicholas

Stormed a strongpoint and captured four enemy soldiers alone

Henry James Nicholas served in a Lewis gun section of the 1st Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force. On 3 December 1917, during the attack at Polderhoek, Belgium, his section was protecting the right flank when fire from a German strongpoint stopped the advance.

Nicholas went ahead alone while his comrades followed about twenty-five yards behind. He shot the enemy officer and fought through the position with grenades and his bayonet, taking four wounded prisoners and a machine gun. After the advance halted, he went out again under fire to collect ammunition. These actions earned him the Victoria Cross, which King George V presented at Buckingham Palace in 1918.

Born at Lincoln, Canterbury, on 11 June 1891, Nicholas became a carpenter and spent several years working in Australia. He was also a keen boxer. He enlisted in February 1916 and served on the Western Front, becoming a sergeant in June 1918.

His leadership during fighting at Welsh Ridge between 28 September and 1 October 1918 earned the Military Medal. He was killed near Beaudignies, France, on 23 October 1918 and is buried in Vertigneul Churchyard, Romeries. Canterbury Museum preserves his Victoria Cross, Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal. A statue near Christchurch's Bridge of Remembrance commemorates his service.

Victoria Cross citation, London Gazette, 11 January 1918:

No. 24213 Pte. Henry James Nicholas, N.Z. Inf.

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. Pte. Nicholas, who was one of a Lewis gun section, had orders to form a defensive flank to the right of the advance which was subsequently checked by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from an enemy strong point. Whereupon, followed by the remainder of his section at an interval of about twenty-five yards, Pte. Nicholas rushed forward alone, shot the officer in command of the strong point, and overcame the remainder of the garrison of sixteen by means of bombs and bayonet, capturing four wounded prisoners and a machine gun.

He captured this strong point practically singlehanded, and thereby saved many casualties.

Subsequently, when the advance had reached its limit, Pte. Nicholas collected ammunition under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire.

His exceptional valour and coolness throughout the operations afforded an inspiring example to all.