NICHOLSON, OCTAVIUS HENRY LOTHIAN,
Lieutenant, was born 23 July 1877, sixth son of General Sir Lothian
Nicholson, KCB. He was educated at St Paul's School, and Sandhurst;
passed into the Army 8 September
1897, as Second Lieutenant, West Yorkshire Regiment, and was promoted
Lieutenant 15 February 1899. He served during the South African War,
1899-1902, taking part in the operations in Natal, 1899; was present at the
Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso; during operations of 17 to
24 January 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5 to 7 February
1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; during operations on Tugela Heights 14 to 27
February 1900, and action at Pieter's Hill; operations in Natal, March to
April 1900. He served as Adjutant, 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment,
from 1 August 1901 to 31 May 1902; operations in the Transvaal, February
1901 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 26
January 1900, 8 February and 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal
with three clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September
1901]: "Octavius Henry Lothian Nicholson, Lieutenant, West Yorkshire
Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South
Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 13 December 1902. He was
promoted Captain 17 August 1904; was ADC to GO, Commanding-in-Chief,
Bermuda, from 31 October 1908 to 15 December 1911. He served during the
European War as DAQMG 5 August 1914; was Brigade Major, 3rd Infantry
Brigade, BEF, 26 November 1914 to 17 March 1915; Brigade Major, 51st
Infantry Brigade, New Armies, 10 June 1915. He was given the Brevet of
Major 18 February 1915, and became Major 1 September 1915. He was General
Staff Officer, 2nd Grade, 8th Division, BEF, October 1915 to 11 January
1916; GSO2, 1st Army, 1916-17; General Staff Officer, 1st Grade, 5th
Division, BEF, British Armies in France, 1917-1919; General Staff Officer,
1st Grade, War Office (Temporary), 27 March 1919. He received the Brevet of
Lieutenant Colonel 3 June 1917. He was mentioned eight times in Despatches,
and created a CMG in 1918; Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, and was
awarded the Croix de Guerre avec Palme. Lieutenant Colonel Nicholson
married, in 1911, Eileen May Montague, daughter of Major General Montague
Browne, of St John's Point, Kellough, County Down, and they had one son and
one daughter.
