Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Victory Medal awarded to Sopwith Camel fighter pilot Captain W. E. Nicholson, A.F.C., Royal Flying Corps and Cheshire Yeomanry, who served with 43 and 44 Squadrons during the Great War

Victory Medal 1914-19 (Capt. W. E. Nicholson. R.A.F.) good very fine £100-£140

A.F.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919.

William Eric Nicholson was born in October 1888, educated at Radley College, employed as a Cotton Broker in Argentina prior to the War, and resided at Sutton Hall, Little Sutton, Cheshire. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Cheshire Yeomanry in January 1915, and was attached to the Royal Flying Corps in May 1917. Nicholson was posted to 45 Squadron the following month; however, he was almost immediately hospitalised due to illness. He returned to duty when he was posted for operational flying as a pilot with 43 Squadron (Sopwith Camels) in August 1917.

Nicholson attacked a Company of Infantry on the Douai-Cambrai Road, firing 250 rounds, on 22 November 1917. Five days later he engaged four enemy aircraft whilst on patrol south east of Armentieres:

‘I proceeded to attack a wireless machine which had been seen above Erquingham but was late in arriving... so proceeded to Armentieres where I saw two 2-seater D.F.W.’s. 1 worked for position in the sun and dived at one getting two good bursts at about 50 yards range. The E.A. dived, and as I dived after him I turned and observed 2 E.A. Scouts diving on to me about 150 yds. away. By this time my left hand gun had jammed, so I made my way through a thick bank of clouds towards our lines. The other E.A. 2-seater flew quickly east.’ (Combat Report refers)

Nicholson advanced Temporary Captain in August 1918, and was posted to 44 Squadron at Hainault Farm, Essex, later the same month. The Squadron were tasked with Home Defence, and pioneered the use of the Sopwith Camel in night fighter operations by the end of the War. Nicholson was discharged in February 1919, and relinquished his commission in the Territorial Army in September 1921. He returned to employment as a Cotton Broker after the war and died in Eastbourne in 1976.

Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of recipient in uniform whilst serving with 44 Squadron.