A Collection of Medals formed by the Reverend Canon Nigel Nicholson, OStJ, DL

A Great War D.S.O. group of six awarded to Engineer Captain J. B. Nicholson, Royal Navy, who was Mentioned in Despatches for his services in H.M.S. Royalist at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Ast. Engr. J. B. Nicholson. R.N. H.M.S. Sappho.); 1914-15 Star (Eng. Lt. Dr [sic]. J. B. Nicholson, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Eng. Commr. J. B. Nicholson. R.N.); Defence Medal, scratch to obverse field of QSA, otherwise nearly extremely fine (6) £1,400-£1,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals formed by the Reverend Canon Nigel Nicholson, OStJ, DL.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 27 June 1919:
‘For distinguished services at Engineer Officer of H.M.S. Royalist, 1st Light Cruiser Squadron.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 September 1916:
‘For services in action at Jutland on H.M.S. Royalist.’

James Bell Nicholson was commissioned Assistant Engineer in the Royal Navy on 1 July 1898, and joined H.M.S. Pelorus on 1 September 1899. He transferred to H.M.S. Sappho on 25 August 1900, and served in her during the Boer War. Transferring to H.M.S. Pandora on 7 November 1901, he was promoted Engineer Lieutenant on 1 April 1903, and joined H.M.S. Falcon on 27 October 1904; prior to the Great War he also served in H.M.S. Arrogant, Greyhound, Leviathan, and Isis, and was promoted Engineer Lieutenant-Commander on 1 April 1911.

Nicholson transferred to H.M.S. Royalist on 10 January 1915, and served in her throughout the Great War, being Mentioned in Despatches for his services at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. He was promoted Engineer Commander on 25 December 1916, and for his services during the Great War was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Post-War he served in various shore based establishments, and transferred to the Retired List with the rank of Engineer Captain on 1 September 1926.

For his services during the Second World War Nicholson was awarded the Defence Medal; the verification card for this award (included with the lot), was issued by Cornwall County Council, and is addressed to ‘Engr. Capt. J. B. Nicholson, R.N., 1 Tamar Villas, Port View, Saltash, Cornwall.’