Name
Walter Adams Nicholson
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/09/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant Colonel
Royal Field Artillery
104th Army Bde.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LOCRE HOSPICE CEMETERY
II. C. 22.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Northaw memorials
Pre War
Walter was educated at Shrewsbury School and the Royal Academy, Woolwich.
He married Nora Armitage in Northaw on the 4th of September 1900 and they had two sons: John Gerald (b. 7th of January 1906) and Edward Adams (b. 2nd of May 1908).
Walter was gazetted 2nd Lieut, R.A. on the 27th Of July 1888; promoted Lieut. on the 27th of July 1891; Capt on the 17th of February 1899; Major on the 13th of July 1904.
He was appointed Adjutant to the 3rd Kent Volunteer Artillery under Col. Hozier on the 9th of March 1896 and served in the South African War in 1901. He took part in the operations in the Transvaal, Orange River Colony and Cape Colony from March to October 1901 (earning the Queen's Medal with three clasps) and went on to serve in Egypt and India. He retired from the Army in September 1909.
Wartime Service
Walter rejoined on the outbreak of war and served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from February 1915. During the Second Battle of Ypres he was wounded and gassed and sent back to England to recover.
When able to return he was appointed Temp. Lieut-Col. and given the command of a brigade, R.F.A., and went to the front in August 1915. He took part in the Battle of the Somme in July 1916 and the Battle of Messines Ridge.
He was killed in action near Ypres, by a bomb dropped from an enemy aeroplane. He was buried at Locre (Lokeren).
A General wrote: "He was beloved by all, especially by those whom he commanded. During the past three months he had had a very difficult and trying time in continual discomfort and constant danger, yet I never heard him grumble, and rarely saw him without a smile. I wish there were more like him. The Royal Artillery has lost a gallant officer and a good comrade."
Additional Information
Apart from his marriage in Northaw no other connection has yet been established.
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners
