In Neuville-Vitasse Road Cemetery, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 26812 Private Lawrence John Nicholson serving with the 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment who died 09/04/1917.
He was the son of John and Emily Nicholson, of 10, Woodbine Road, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Lawrence John Nicholson was the eldest of 2 children and the only son of John Nicholson born 1866 at Earsdon, Northumberland and Emily Bocock born, June 16th 1866 in the parish of Christ Church, Tynemouth, where she was baptised, October 7th 1866.
John and Emily were married at Long Benton, Northumberland, August 4th 1888 and settled at 43, Salters Road, Gosforth in the suburbs of Newcastle upon Tyne. Lawrence John was born, August 15th 1893, their daughter Winifred Muriel Emily in 1895.
John Nicholson who was initially employed as a joiner, by 1901 was a clerk of works and building manager and ten years later an inspector of school buildings for Northumberland Education Committee. Lawrence John (17) was working as an accountant’s clerk, his sister Winifred (16) was a student. The family had moved from Salters Road, which had been their residence for more than 20 years, to a six room house at 10, Woodbine Street, Gosforth.
Upon the outbreak of war, August 4th 1914, all regiments were ordered to raise new battalions in answer to Kitchener’s call to arms. Lawrence John Nicholson enlisted at Mansion House, Middlesex, where he was assigned as Private 2825 to the 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment as this was the only battalion destined to serve on the Western Front and was later transferred to the 2nd Wiltshire Regiment as Private 26812.
He departed to the Western Front as of January 1916 joining his regiment which had been in the field since October 1914 having been withdrawn from the Gibraltar garrison. The 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, part of the 21st Brigade had transferred from the 21st Division to the 30th Division in December 1915. During 1916 the division participated at the opening Battles on the Somme at Albert, July 1st-13th but did not take part in any other major battle and was moved to the Arras sector in 1917.
The spring offensive in the Arras sector began April 9th and raged until May 16th 1917. Private 26812 Lawrence John Nicholson was killed in action on the opening day, April 9th 1917 and taken for burial to the village of Neuville-Vitasse, Pas de Calais, France. The village was captured on April 9th and a cemetery created by the units of the 33rd Division which was named Neuville-Vitasse Road Cemetery. Private Nicholson is at rest grave A. 26, he was 23 years of age and single.
As executor of Lawrence’s Will, John Nicholson received all monies due to his late son from the Army and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to him at Woodbine Street, Gosforth, also personal assets, June 11th 1917, in the sum of £101 8 shillings 5 pence. He commissioned at a cost of 12 shillings 3 pence an additional inscription to be added to his late son’s military headstone, it reads, “ONLY GOOD-NIGHT BELOVED WE SHALL MEET AGAIN AT DAWN.”
John Nicholson resident at 32, Moor Road, North Gosforth, died May 6th 1933, leaving assets in the sum of £6057 14 shillings 4 pence to his widow.
Emily Nicholson nee Bocock remained at the aforementioned address, however, she passed away at Eastfield Nursing Home, Gosforth, June 22nd 1948, assets in the sum of £10358 12 shillings 1 pence to Lloyds Bank Limited, February 16th 1949.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Lawrence John Nicholson is remembered at Gosforth on G9.06; G9.09 and G9.21 and at Jesmond on J1.15 and J1.21.
