William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Lancelot was the son of Matthew and Elizabeth Isabella (nee Dawson) who was born at Seaham Harbour in 1894. The couple had married in 1877 and went on to have 9 children all of whom survived infancy. His siblings were John (d 1944 in New Zealand), Thomas, Elizabeth, Mary, Matthew (d 11/02/1916) Jane, Hilda Miriam and Bertha.
In 1911 Father Matthew was a jobbing joiner (own account). son Matt was an assistant architect and surveyor, Jane an uncertified assistant teacher for County Council, Lance was an apprentice joiner and student whilst Bertha was still at school.
Lance originally served with the Dorsets as service number 13591. Sometime after enlisting he was posted to France July 29th 1915.
He worked his way up through the ranks until was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He was commissioned May 29th 1917.
During the Battle of 3rd Ypres offensive 2nd Lt. Nicholson served with ‘A’ Company of the 9th battalion.
On the afternoon of September 19th 1917 the battalion moved up to assemble in the area of Stirling Castle and Sanctuary Wood to the east of Ypres.
Zero hour for the attack was set for 5.30am the next day and the battalion advanced into Inverness Copse where they face a hostile artillery barrage and heavy enemy rifle and machine gun fire in the wood. 2nd Lt. Lance Nicholson was killed in this action on September 20th. He is buried near to where he fell.
The Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette 27/09/1917 reports:-
Mr Matthew Nicholson of 3 Bath Terrace, Seaham Harbour has received official notification that his son 2nd Lieutenant Lancelot Nicholson was killed in action in France on the 20th September. This officer who was 24, volunteered for service on September 4th 1914 and joined the Hussars. He was afterwards transferred to the Royal Irish Dragoon Guards and later became attached to the Dorsets. After completing his infantry training he went out to France in July 1915 and remained there until January of this year., when he returned home and was given a commission in the Yorkshire Regiment. He was in France for 9 weeks as an officer.
The inscription on his headstone reads:- “Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 10” - “for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God”
His brother Matthew joined the army September 8th 1914 but only lasted a few weeks before being discharged as he was considered not likely to become an efficient soldier. He died February 11th 1916. The Sunderland Echo 16/02/1916 reports:-
Yesterday afternoon the funeral took place at St. Mary Churchyard. Seaham, of the late Mr Matthew Nicholson, jun., chief assistant surveyor to the Marquess of Londonderry at Seaham Harbour. There was large attendance relatives and friends and representatives of Lord Londonderry's undertakings in the town.
Lancelot Nicholson is not remembered on a Local War Memorial.
