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Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (Capt. W. A. Nicholson, 69/B., R.F.A.).

Walter Adams Nicholson was born at Cork, Ireland on 28 September 1869, the son of James and Emily Nicholson. He educated at Shrewsbury School followed by the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 27 July 1888. Further advanced Lieutenant on 27 July 1891 he was appointed Adjutant of the 3rd Kent Volunteer Artillery on 9 March 1896.

Transferring to the 69th Battery, Royal Field Artillery he was advanced Captain with them on 17 February 1899. Serving from 1901 Nicholson took part in Operations in Transvaal and the Orange River Country. Notably he was present in Cape Colony from March 1901, the 69th Battery had two guns present at Fort Itala during the Battle of Itala on 26 September. Nicholson left Cape Colony in October; he was later further advanced Major on 13 July 1903.

Seeing further service after the war he served in Egypt and India before retiring on 28 September 1909 only to return to the colours on the outbreak of the Great War. Entering the war in France on 26 August 1915 he was advanced Lieutenant-Colonel and given command of a Brigade being 'mentioned' for his services (London Gazette 4 January 1917, refers).

Whilst serving in this role Nicholson went into action at the Battle of Passchendaele, he was killed in action on 4 September 1917 by a bomb dropped from an aeroplane. He was buried at Locre Hospice Cemetery.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

DCM GV (34447 A. Mmbr: J. Archbold. 97/Bty. R.F.A.);
QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (34447 Gnr: J. Archbold, 17th. Bty: R.F.A.);
KSA (2) (34447 Bomb: J. Archbold. R.F.A.);
[ 1914 Star and clasp trio ]

DCM London Gazette 16 November 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry on 27 June 1915, at Cape Helles (Dardanelles), when he went out under severe fire and brought in two wounded men from in front of an observing station. Again, on 14 July, he advanced beyond our lines at night, and brought in a wounded man under very heavy rifle fire. Bombardier Archbold on many previous occasions had displayed great resource and bravery in repairing telephone wires under shell and rifle fire.’

MID London Gazette 5 November 1915

John Archbold was born in Darlington, County Durham, in 1871 and attested for the Royal Field Artillery there on 6 April 1889. He served with the 17th Battery in South Africa during the Boer War from 25 January 1900 to 22 October 1902, and subsequently with the 44th Battery during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 August to 30 September 1914, being repatriated home after suffering a shell wound to his left side on 26 September 1914. He saw further service with the 97th Battery as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 20 Mach 1915 to 19 November 1917, again being repatriated home having suffered a severe gun shot wound to his right leg and side in October 1917, and was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was discharged on 24 February 1919, after 19 years and 325 days’ service.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (71205 Dvr: W. Hatton, R.H.A.,);
KSA (2) (71205 Dvr: W. Hatton. R.H.A.);
1914-15 Star (3033 Pte. W. Hatton, Manch. R.);
British War and Victory Medals (3033 Pte. W. Hatton. Manch. R.)

William Hatton was born at Stalybridge, Lancashire, in 1871, and attested for the Royal Horse Artillery at Lancaster on 23 February 1889, having previously served in the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Royal Lancaster Regiment. He served with them in South Africa during the Boer War from 3 November 1899 to 26 February 1902. He was discharged on 26 March 1902, after 18 years and 32 days’ service. He saw further service with the Manchester Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 December 1914, before transferring to the Labour Corps, and was discharged, Class ‘Z’, on 18 February 1919.