Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Eight: Sergeant R. Nicholson, Royal Artillery, later Chief Engineer, Royal Fleet Auxiliary

British War and Victory Medals (122686 Bmbr. R. Nicholson. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; Coronation 1953, good very fine (8) £100-£140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals formed by the Reverend Canon Nigel Nicholson, OStJ, DL.

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Robert Nicholson was born in Teesside in 1898 and was educated at Barnard Castle School. He served during the Great War with the Royal Garrison Artillery on the Western Front, and was gassed, going blind for a while. He later served with the Army of Occupation at Bonn, and was advanced Sergeant.

Following the cessation of hostilities, he returned to Sunderland and was apprenticed at Clarks Marine Engineering Works on the Wear. He later joined the British Tanker Company (which was later taken over by British Petroleum), and worked as Superintendent Engineer in Abadan in conjunction with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War he volunteered for Service at Sea, and served as Chief Engineer on Tankers in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. He took part in the Battle of Narvick, and also in the Mediterranean off North Africa, refuelling the fleet. After a spell on the Atlantic convoys, he finished up sailing between Abadan and India for three years.

The War over, he returned to his civilian job, and rose to become Superintendent Engineer for B.P. Tankers, in charge of tanker building on the Tyne, Wear, and Tees. He retired in 1960, and died in 1975.

Sold with copied research including a photograph of the recipient in both his Great War and Second War uniforms.