Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine post-War B.E.M. group of eight awarded to Chief Petty Officer Cook H. G. Nichols, Royal Navy, who survived the sinking of H.M.S. Southampton in 1941, and subsequently took part in the Yangtze incident in H.M.S. London in 1949, during which his ship was severely damaged

British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R ( C.P.O. Ck.(S) Horace G. Nichols, C/MX. 768465), officially re-engraved naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 copy clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Yangtze 1949 (C/MX. 768465 H. G. Nichols. C.P.O.Ck.); Coronation 1953; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (M 36997 H. G. Nichols. P.O. Ck. H.M.S. Pembroke.), ship partially officially corrected, mounted court-style as worn, minor contact marks, good very fine (8) £1,200-£1,600

Provenance: Christie’s, November 1986.

B.E.M. London Gazette 31 December 1957.

Horace George Nichols was born in Bishop Auckland, Durham on 6 September 1902 and joined the Royal Navy as an Assistant Cook on 20 January 1922. Initially serving at Pembroke I and II, he served on the following ships from October 1922 up until January 1936; H.M.S. Calliope, H.M.S. Birmingham, H.M.S. Royal Sovereign, H.M.S. Ganges, H.M.S. Repulse, H.M.S. Renown, H.M.S. Diana, and H.M.S. Veteran, and was advanced Cook on 28 July 1922; Leading Cook on 15 November 1926; Petty Officer Cook on 19 December 1930; and Chief Petty Officer Cook in January 1938. On 6 March 1837, Nichols joined H.M.S. Southampton, serving with this ship until 11 January 1941. H.M.S. Southampton was involved in Malta Convoy operations at this time and sunk on this day, after receiving devastating damage from Luftwaffe Stuka dive bombers. Nichols was picked up by H.M.S. Orion and continued to serve in this ship until 30 March 1942. He saw further service during the Second World War in H.M.S. Lyme and H.M.S. Nigeria, before Joining H.M.S. Warspite on 22 March 1944. With this ship, Nichols witnessed the Normandy landings, indeed Warspite was the first ship to open fire on German targets at 0500 on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Leaving H.M.S. Warspite on 13 March 1945, Nichols final wartime Commission in H.M.S. Bellona from 28 April to 8 September 1945.

Post War, Chief Petty Officer Cook Nichols joined H.M.S. London on 14 September 1945, and served with this ship until 31 October 1949, taking part in the Yangtze incident. During the failed attempt to relieve H.M.S. Amethyst, H.M.S. London was heavily engaged against with Chinese forces, firing several hundred rounds. However she was hit several times and badly damaged; including damage to both forward 8-inch turrets and "X" turret aft, rendering them inoperable. Her bridge sustained several hits.

Nichols was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 25 April 1947, and a Second Award Bar on 18 July 1952. He was shore pensioned on 3 November 1957.

Sold with the recipient’s original Certificate of Service, conduct sheet and Ratings History Sheet; Buckingham Palace letter in original envelope; a Congratulations telegram from the Commodore on the occasion of his B.E.M.; a photograph of the recipient in uniform wearing his medals; and eight postcard sized photographs of damage H.M.S. London suffered during Yangtze incident.