John Nicholas

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Admiral John Nicholas, Royal Navy, Retired (17 March, 1865 – 23 June, 1942) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Nicholas was appointed to the training ship Britannia on 15 July, 1878. On 23 July, 1880, he was appointed to the Minotaur in the Channel Squadron. He was rated Midshipman on 22 October. He was appointed to Monarch in the Mediterranean on 27 January, 1882. He attained a Second Class pass in his Seamanship examination with 825 marks on 22 October, 1884, and was appointed Acting Sub-Lieutenant. On 17 December he was appointed to Valorous, and from 3 February, 1885, he was borne on the books of Excellent for study. He attained a Third Class pass in his College examinations with 944 marks (November, 1885), Third Class in his Torpedo examination with 143 (December, 1885), Second Class in Gunnery with 509 (April, 1886), and Second Class in Pilotage with 787 (3 June, 1886). He was appointed to Torpedo Boat 24 on 4 June, 1886, and on 27 August to Minotaur again.[1]

Nicholas was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1888.[2]

Nicholas was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1900.[3]

Captain

He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1906.[4]

In September 1909, he assumed command of the second class protected cruiser Flora, remaining with her for two years.

Nicholas was appointed in command of Jupiter on 25 January, 1912.[5] In June, he assumed command of the first class protected cruiser Argonaut.[6]

He was appointed to command the battleship Hindustan on 20 May, 1913.[7]

Great War

The Vice-Admiral Commanding the Third Battle Squadron, Sir Edward E. Bradford, wrote to the First Sea Lord, Sir Henry B. Jackson, on 9 March, 1916:

I desire to recommend Captain J. Nicholas to your notice now that the Hindustan is to pay off.
He is a very steady and reliable officer of good judgement and has commanded his ship to my entire satisfaction.
I have mentioned his name to Sir John Jellicoe and I think he would be an excellent choice for a [dreadnought] battleship.[8]

On 19 June, 1916, Nicholas was appointed Captain of the Dockyard and Deputy Superintendent and King's Harbour Master at Devonport Royal Dockyard.[9] He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 2 July, 1917, vice Waymouth and was placed on the Retired List the following day.[10]

Retirement

He was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 1 June, 1922,[11] and to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List on 8 November, 1926.[12]

Bibliography

  • "Admiral John Nicholas" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 6 July, 1942. Issue 49280, col F, p. 6.

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
George S. Q. Carr
Captain of H.M.S. Mosquito
14 Dec, 1894[13] – 1 Jan, 1897[14]
Succeeded by
Gerald Oliver
Preceded by
William H. Nicholson
Captain of H.M.S. Phoenix
26 Jun, 1903[15] – 14 Dec, 1904[16]
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
George J. Todd
Captain of H.M.S. Recruit
14 Mar, 1905[17] – 27 Apr, 1905[18]
Succeeded by
Lionel J. G. Anderson
Preceded by
Ernest G. W. Davidson
Captain of H.M.S. Surly
27 Apr, 1905[19] – 9 Jul, 1906[20]
Succeeded by
William L. W. Williams-Mason
Preceded by
Edward F. B. Charlton
Captain of H.M.S. Hecla
9 Jul, 1906[21] – 6 Aug, 1908[22]
Succeeded by
Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt
Preceded by
Rowland Nugent
Captain of H.M.S. Flora
27 Jul, 1909[23][24] – 16 Sep, 1911[25]
Succeeded by
Charles F. Corbett
Preceded by
Charles B. Miller
Captain of H.M.S. Jupiter
25 Jan, 1912[26] – 26 Jun, 1912[27]
Succeeded by
Arthur G. Smith
Preceded by
Francis A. L. Andrews
Captain of H.M.S. Argonaut
26 Jun, 1912[28][29] – 1 Jan, 1913[30]
Succeeded by
Charles Tibbits
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. King George V
Oct, 1912[31]
Succeeded by
Mark E. F. Kerr
Preceded by
Charles P. Beaty-Pownall
Captain of H.M.S. Terrible
1 Jan, 1913[32] – 20 May, 1913[33]
Succeeded by
Spencer A. Hickley
Preceded by
Cuthbert G. Chapman
Captain of H.M.S. Hindustan
20 May, 1913[34][35] – 19 Jun, 1916[36]
Succeeded by
Denis B. Crampton
Preceded by
Evelyn R. Le Marchant
Captain of Devonport Dockyard
19 Jun, 1916[37] – 1 Apr, 1918[38]
Succeeded by
William J. S. Alderson

Footnotes

  1. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  2. The London Gazette: no. 25804. p. 1689. 3 April, 1888.
  3. The London Gazette: no. 27211. p. 4433. 17 July, 1900.
  4. The London Gazette: no. 27927. p. 4466. 29 June, 1906.
  5. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  6. Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  7. The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 331.
  8. Jackson Papers. MSS/5/8. National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth.
  9. The Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 556.
  10. The London Gazette: no. 30161. p. 6550. 3 July, 1917.
  11. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 32719. p. 4474. 13 June, 1922.
  12. The London Gazette: no. 33222. p. 7477. 19 November, 1926.
  13. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  14. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  15. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  16. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  17. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  18. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  19. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  20. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  21. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  22. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  23. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  24. The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 316.
  25. Day of year is inferred from successor Charles Frederick Corbett. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  26. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  27. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  28. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  29. The Navy List. (August, 1912). p. 279.
  30. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  31. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  32. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 306.
  33. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 207.
  34. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 207.
  35. The Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 394p.
  36. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 207.
  37. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 207.
  38. Nicholas Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 207.