1889 - 1915

1.  Early Days
2.  West Yorkshire Regiment
3.  Lancers of the Line
4.  British Expeditionary Forces
5.  1914-1915 Home and Abroad
6.  Missing Presumed Dead
7.  In Memorial

Missing Presumed Dead

Although we know now that Edward was killed on Thursday 13th May 1915 during the 2nd Battle for Ypres, at the time there was obviously confusion and mis-information surrounding the event. Originally, Edward was posted as missing, and it wasn't until much later that he was officially declared killed in action.

By November of 1915, Edward's mother Elizabeth must have been frantic, having heard nothing about her only son for so long. After writing to the war office, she received a reply on December 1st 1915.

All handwritten entries in these letters are shown in italics

 

	Casualties Form A   1st December 1915 This letter was sent from the War Office, London, and reads; Madam, In reply to your enquiry concerning 1844 Private E. Nicholson 9/Lancers I am directed to inform you that further enquiries are being made, the result of which will be communicated to you as soon as possible. The letter was sent to Mrs. J Nicholson, 8 Archie Street, New Park, Harrogate
A follow up letter was sent to Elizabeth two months later. Unfortunately, there was still no confirmed news of Edward's status. In fact, this letter referred Elizabeth to contact a different department for more information.
	Casualties Form letter E   17th February 1916 This letter was sent from the War Office, London, and reads; Madam In further reply to your enquiry of the 19th November 1915 I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that (Regimental No.) 1844 (Rank) Private (Name) E. Nicholson (Regiment) 9th Lancers has now been reported in a casualty list which has reached this office as "Missing" since the 13th May 1915. This is the latest information regarding this soldier which has been received. I am, however, to point out that, as stated in the public press, any further enquiry of this kind should be addressed to :- The Officer in Charge of Records, Cavalry Record Office Canterbury who is in possession of the latest and fullest information obtainable respecting soldiers of this regiment. The letter was sent to Mrs. J Nicholson, 8 Archie Street, New Park, Harrogate
Elizabeth heard nothing more until four months later. In June she received a letter from the Cavalry Record Office with the news she must have known would eventually come.
	No. C/201744/1  Army Form B. 104-82A   28th June 1916 This letter was sent from the Cavalry Record Office, Canterbury Station, and reads; Madam It is my painful duty to inform you that no further news having been received relative to (No.) 1844 (Rank) Private (Name) Edward Nicholson (Regiment) 9th Lancers who has been missing since 13-5-15, the Army Council have been regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead, and that his death took place on the 13-5-15 (or since). I am to express to you the sympathy of the Army Council with you in your loss. Any articles of private property left by missing soldiers which are found are forwarded to this Office, but they cannot be disposed of until authority is received from the War Office. Application regarding the disposal of any such personal effects, or of any amount that may eventually be found to be due to the late soldier's estate, should be addressed to "The Secretary, War Office, London, S.W.," and marked outside, "Effects."
As was usual practice, Elizabeth also received an official Royal sympathy message
	The message reads; The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of His Majesty and The Queen in your sorrow. The note carries the signature of Prime Minister Asquith.
There were two articles printed about Edward in the local Harrogate press. One was a tribute in the weekly newspaper, the other was a photograph and brief notation in an annual booklet printed by the newspaper company, Ackrill's.
	The text beneath the photograph printed in the booklet "1916 Ackrill's Harrogate War Souvenir" is taken from the official letter of 28th June 1916 shown above. The newspaper article is a reprint of a letter sent to Elizabeth from Edward's commanding officer, Brigadier General David G.M. Campbell. The article reads, in full; HARROGATE SOLDIER'S PRESUMED DEATH ____________________ "Died The Most Gallant Death" Official information has been received from the Cavalry Record Office, Canterbury, by Mrs. E. Nicholson, 8, Archie Street, New Park, Harrogate, to the effect that "no further news having been received of her son, Pte. Edward Nicholson, of the 9th Lancers, who has been missing since May 13th last, "the Army Council have regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead," and that his death took place on the above date. Their Majesties' letter of sympathy accompanies the sad announcement, and the following letter from the officer for whom he acted as servant :- June 16th Dear Mrs. Nicholson, - I expect by this time you have received information from the War Office that your son has been missing since May 13th. It is with great sorrow and regret that I now write to say that, although I cannot be positively certain, yet I fear greatly that he has been killed. We had been fighting hard on the 13th near Ypres. I sent for your son in the evening, and he was nowhere to be found. I had all the ground where he was likely to be carefully searched, but could find no trace of him. I felt sure he must have been wounded and taken to hospital. I regret, however, to say that in spite of all inquiries I can find no trace of him, and I very much fear he must have been blown up by a high explosive shell, which would account for no trace of him having been found. Of course there is a chance he may be alive, but I fear it is a very slender one. I cannot tell you how much I feel his loss; he was my servant, and a better one no officer ever had. He was a great favourite in my household at home, and was liked and respected by all who knew him. You have my greatest sympathy, but you must try and console yourself with the thought that your boy gave his life for his country, and died the most gallant death any man can die. Of course, his affairs will not be settled up till after the war, when any pay due to him will be sent to his next-of-kin. I, however, enclose you a cheque for £7, which was due to him from me as his extra pay as my servant. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. With sincerest sympathy, Yours, etc,. David G.M. Campbell, Brig-General, 6th Cavalry Brigade, Expeditionary Force. The above address will find me.
In July of 1916, Elizabeth received a letter from Corporal G. Gurney. Elizabeth had obviously placed notices asking for any information about Edward, as Cpl Gurney's letter refers to her "advertisement". Cpl Gurney's account confirms Edward's death date, and also his position with Brig-Gen Campbell.
	As can be seen from the envelope, this letter was sent from the battlefield, the postmark shows "Field Post Office" and the letter was cleared by the field censor. The letter reads, as written:- Cpl. G. Gurney C Squadron 9th Lancers B.E.F. 29/7/16 Dear Mrs. Nicholson I hope by now you have a more official acount of your missing son than I can give you but seeing your advertisement I feel sure it is the same fellow I knew slightly in this Squadron at the beginning of this war. If so I made enquiries & I am very sorry to say I think your son was killed on May 13th. He was orderly to General Campbell at that we were being heavily bombarded in the trenches & lost nearly all our men that was in the 2nd Battle for Ypres & the situation was rather bad as far as I know the General came up & a big shell wounded the General & those with him & I was told, his orderly was killed. Of course I couldn't be absolutely certain, but for more official information I think you could obtain it from the 6th Cavalry Brigade H. Quarters B.E.F. France possibly there might be someone there who was there. Please except (sp) my deepest sympathy at your great loss. Remain Yours sincerely G. Gurney
Edward was awarded 3 medals for his war service. the 1914 Star, the British Medal and the Victory Medal. His medals index card shows his posting as well as his military number and decorations.
Actual card                            Reconstruction

1914 Star Established in 1917 for award to all those of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who actually served in France or Belgium between 5 August 1914 and 22 November 1914. The star was available to officers, men, civil medical personnel, nurses and others employed in military hospitals in Belgium or France. The star was given to naval and marine units, which served ashore, but not to naval personnel which remained afloat. The 1914 Star is sometimes referred to as the "Mons Star," though this is a misnomer since the star is for service in all of France or Belgium during the dates cited above, and not limited to those who participated in the "Battle of Mons." A bar was awarded to those who had actually been under fire during the qualifying period.

Inter-Allied Victory Medal Agreed to by all allies in March 1919. All medals were to be almost identical to obviate the need to exchange allied medals and each was patterned after a French medal of 1870. The medal was authorized in Britain on 1 September 1919.The medal was awarded to all ranks of the fighting forces, to civilians under contract, and others employed with military hospitals who actually served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 (inclusive). It was also awarded to members of the British Naval mission to Russia 1919 - 1920 and for mine clearance in the North Sea between 11 November 1918 and 30 November 1919. This medal was never issued alone and was always issued with the British War Medal.

British War Medal Authorized on 29 July 1919, the British War Medal was awarded to all ranks who rendered service to His Majesty's Forces between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, or who had served in a theatre of war. Those who had enlisted in the O.M.F.C. in the United Kingdom and had not served in a theatre of war were not entitled to this medal. The requirements for RAF personnel were the same as for the army. Naval personnel were required to have 28 days of mobilized service or to have lost their lives before this period of service was complete.

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