Chapter LXII: Part 62

=NESS, GORDON STUART=, Lieut., 3rd (Reserve), attd. 1st Battn. Royal Scots Fusiliers, yst. and only surviving _s._ of the late Patrick Ness, of Braco Castle, Perthshire, by his wife, Charlotte Jane Wells (19, Dawson Place, Notting Hill Gate, W.), dau. of Stephen Powell; _b._ London, 4 Nov. 1885; educ. Westminster School, and Clare College, Cambridge; was elected an underwriting member of Lloyds in 1909; joined the 3rd Battn. (Royal Ayr and Wigtown Militia) Royal Scots Fusiliers, as 2nd Lieut. 7 April, 1906, and was promoted Lieut. 9 Dec. 1909; went to France 11 Sept. 1914, attached to the 1st Battn. of his Regt.; and was killed in action during the 1st Battle of Ypres, 11 Nov. 1914. Buried near Ypres. He _m._ in London, Gladys, dau. of Charles Ernest Gwynne Harrison; and had a son and daughter: Patrick, _b._ 15 June, 1914; and Marguerite Gordon, _b._ 3 June, 1915.

=NEVE, BASIL HOVENDEN=, Acting Chief E.R.A., 2nd Class, 270424, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=NEVE, WILLIAM CHARLES=, Petty Officer (N.S.), 184688, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NEVETT, THOMAS ALFRED=, L.-Corpl., No. 13041, 5th Battn. King’s Shropshire L.I., yst. _s._ of William Berber Nevett, of Cotsbrook Hall, co. Salop, by his wife, Emily, dau. of the late Richard Jones, of Norton, co. Salop; _b._ Sansaw, co. Salop, 24 June, 1895; educ. Elleray Park, Wallasey, and Shrewsbury School (1911–13), and on leaving there took up an agricultural life, but on the outbreak of war volunteered and joined the King’s Shropshire L.I. with several other Salopians. After some months of training he was placed in the battn. machine-gun section, and went with this unit to France in May, 1915. During the violent attacks and counter-attacks around Hooge in Aug. he was wounded on the 9th by a shell which destroyed his gun, and on the way to the dressing station he received another and more severe wound from shrapnel, resulting in spinal injury and paralysis, from which he died in Edmonton Military Hospital, 10 Sept. 1915; _unm._ The Headmaster of Shrewsbury said of him: “He was one of those unselfish boys whose real goodness gives them an influence out of all proportion to their prominence in school life.” His eldest bro., Sergt. W. P. Nevett, was killed at the Dardanelles landing (see his notice).

=NEVETT, WILLIAM PERCY=, Sergt., No. 851, 12th Battn. Australian L.I., Australian Imperial Force, eldest _s._ of William Barber Nevett, of Cotsbrook Hall, co. Salop, by his wife, Emily, dau. of the late Richard Jones, of Norton, co. Salop; _b._ Sansaw, co. Salop, 4 June, 1889; educ. Bridgnorth Grammar School and Birmingham University and after securing first-class in the Engineering Course, 1906–9, became Assistant Engineer to the Miners’ Water Supply, Perth, Western Australia. On the outbreak of war he joined the Australian L.I., and having been a member of the O.T.C. at Birmingham University, was set immediately to train recruits. He left for Egypt in Nov. 1914, and while there was offered a commission in the New Army at home but declined it, preferring to stay with his comrades. He was killed in action during the landing of the Australians at Sedd-el-Bahr, Gallipoli, 25 April, 1915; _unm._ The Sergt.-Major of his battn. wrote: “Nevett was on the left flank on the Sunday we effected a landing here, and at this point the fighting was particularly heavy. Your brother was hit in the firing line, and was carried to a place of more safety by Private Michie, another of our good men since killed. The wound was so serious that before the stretcher-bearers could get him to the beach, he died. He was one of our most efficient and popular N.C.O.’s, and my best friend.”

=NEW, ALEXANDER HERBERT=, Private, No. 5712, 3rd Battn. Coldstream Guards, eldest _s._ of Harry New, of Bournemouth, by his wife, Theresa, dau. of (--) Hazel; _b._ Ringwood, co. Hants, 5 June, 1886; educ. at Bournemouth; enlisted 12 Sept. 1904; served in Egypt, 29 Sept. 1906, to 14 Feb. 1908; went to France, 12 Aug. 1914, and was killed in action at La Tretoire, 8 Sept. 1914, being buried in the wood there. His company officer wrote saying that he was a good soldier, and fought gallantly, and cheerfully carried out the hard marching of the first three weeks of the campaign; also how well he helped to maintain the reputation of the Coldstream Guards and the British Army. He _m._ at St. Luke’s, Burton, Christchurch, 18 April, 1910, Fanny (67, Forton Road, Gosport), only dau. of Charles Langrish; _s.p._

=NEWBURY, WILLIAM JOHN=, Chief Ship’s Cook, 165257, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=NEWBY, GEORGE EDWIN=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 2629), 207242, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=NEWCOMBE, THOMAS=, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 10707 (Ports.), H.M.S Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NEWHAM, ARTHUR JOHN=, Petty Officer (N.S.), 208884, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NEWMAN, CHARLES HENRY=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 2948), S.S. 264, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=NEWMAN, CORMIE AUBREY=, E.R.A., 3rd Class, M. 1478, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=NEWMAN, FRANCIS=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 2512), 201770, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=NEWMAN, HARRY=, Private, R.M.L.I. (R.F.R.), Petty Officer, 6325, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914; _m._

=NEWMAN, HENRY=, Stoker (Native), H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=NEWMAN, RICHARD HARRY=, Chief Petty Officer, Tel. 183585, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=NEWMAN, SAMUEL=, Stoker, R.N.R., S. 1706, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=NEWMAN, STANLEY FRANCIS=, Sergt., No. 1093, Essex Yeomanry, 3rd _s._ of Francis Newman, of Moor Hall, Thorley, Bishop’s Stortford, Farmer, by his wife, Emily, dau. of Richard Stock; _b._ Moor Hall, Thorley, co. Hertford, 18 July, 1885; educ. Bishop’s Stortford College; served six years in the Essex Yeomanry, 1906–12; then went to Singapore and later to Australia, where he was farming; returned to England in July, 1914, and when war broke out the following month, immediately rejoined his old regt. and volunteered for foreign service. He went to France, 28 Nov. 1914, and was killed in action in an attack on the German trenches at Ypres, 13 May, 1915; _unm._ The Capt. commanding C Squadron wrote: “The regt. was sent up to reinforce the infantry at this part of the line about a week ago. On the 13th the Germans succeeded in taking a bit of our line and the regt., together with the two other regts. of our Brigade, was ordered to retake it. They had to advance 500 yards of open ground, most of it going under a very heavy fire from shells, rifle, and machine-gun fire. Your son reached the enemy’s trenches safely, and helped to recapture them, but a few minutes later he was shot while standing near Mr. Holt who was also wounded. His death is a great blow to us all, officers and men alike, and he leaves a place in the Squadron which will be hard to fill. Everybody agreed that he was one of the very best N.C.Os. in the regt. and his troop would do anything for him.” And Trooper H. J. Tucker writing to his father said: “Will you just break the news on my behalf, that my two comrades, Sergt. Stanley Newman and Corpl. Frank Bird, have both been killed in action during a great charge, which took place two days ago. When there was a roll call the whole regt. had 168 casualties--killed, wounded and missing; amongst them our Colonel and many officers.”

=NEWMAN, WILLIAM HENRY=, Acting Chief Stoker, 293000, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NEWMAN, WILLIAM HERBERT=, Private, No. 3082, 1/8th Battn. Middlesex Regt. (T.F.), eldest _s._ of William Harry Newman, of 15, Marlow Road, Southall, Police Sergeant, by his wife, Gertrude, dau. of Thomas Betts, for 53 years on L. & N.W.R.; _b._ Haggerston, N., 23 June, 1895; educ. Featherstone Road Boys’ School, Southall; was a clerk with Messrs. Kearby & Sons, Rubastic Road, Southall; joined the Middlesex Territorials, 5 Sept. 1914; volunteered for foreign service; trained at Hampton and Staines; left for Gibraltar, 1 Feb. 1915; went to France at the end of July; took part in the Battle of Loos, 25–26 Sept. and was killed in action near La Bassée, 19 Oct. 1915; _unm._ Buried at Wye Farm.

=NEWPORT, WILLIAM JAMES=, Private, R.M.L.I., Ch. 13141, H.M.S. Hawke, s. of James Newport, of The Green, Beyton, Bury St. Edmunds, co. Suffolk; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=NEWSHAM, CHARLES=, Private, No. 2763, 16th Platoon, C Coy., 9th (Highlanders) Battn. Royal Scots (T.F.), eldest _s._ of Robert Newsham, of 6, Broadway, Withington, Manchester, a buyer for Ralli Bros., of Manchester, by his wife, Agnes, dau. of John Gorrie, Manchester; _b._ Cheetham, Manchester, 16 May, 1885; educ. Cheetham Higher Grade School; was a buyer for Ralli Bros., and a member of the Manchester Royal Exchange. On the outbreak of war he joined the Royal Scots with his great friend Gerard G. S. Frost (who was afterwards killed during the same bombardment as himself), 10 Nov. 1914, and after training at Edinburgh and Kilmarnock, left for the Front towards the end of Feb.; he lost his life during the bombardment of Ypres, three shells dropping into the billets of his company, killing him and six of his comrades, 7 April, 1915. He was the first member of the Manchester Royal Exchange killed in the war.

=NEWSHAM, RICHARD=, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 13680, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NEWSTEAD, GEORGE POPE=, Major, 2nd Battn. Suffolk Regt., and Tempy, Lieut.-Col. Sierra Leone Battn., West African Frontier Force, only _s._ of James Newstead, of Ashby Manor, Horncastle, co. Lincoln, by his wife, Louisa Anne, dau. of George Pope; _b._ Bristol, 23 Sept. 1875; educ. Rugby School (1889–94, where he was in the cricket eleven and football fifteen, and won the Athletic Sports’ Challenge Cup) and New College, Oxford; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 2nd Suffolks, 15 May, 1897, and promoted Lieut. 24 June, 1899, Capt. 15 March, 1905, and Major, Nov. 1914; served in the South African War, 1899–1902, being employed with the Mounted Infantry; took part in the operations in Cape Colony, south of the Orange River, 1899–1900, including action at Colesberg (1–6 Jan.); in the Orange Free State, April and May, 1900; in the Transvaal, May and June, 1900, including actions near Johannesburg and Pretoria; in the Orange River Colony, May to 29 Nov. 1900; in the Transvaal, 30 Nov. to Dec. 1900; and in the Orange River Colony, Jan. 1901, to 31 May, 1902 (Queen’s medal with three clasps and King’s medal with two clasps); seconded for service with the West African Frontier Force, 16 Sept. 1905; served with the Sierra Leone Battn. at Freetown and in the bush under Major Palmer until 26 Oct. 1909; then returned to England and rejoined the 2nd Suffolks, but in Aug. 1910, he again went to West Africa, and on 1 April, 1913, was promoted Tempy. Lieut.-Col. He died at Bare, Cameroons, West Africa, 5 March, 1915, of wounds received at Stoebel’s Farm on the previous day. Buried at Bare. Describing the action, an officer wrote: “On 4 March, 1915, I was with the advanced guard, which the colonel was commanding, and we came under a very hot fire--he, his Adjutant and myself being all together for about half an hour. He then ordered me to take our Maxim gun back a little way, and came with me to select a new position for it. After this he left me and went forward to the right under a very heavy fire to make further dispositions, and I lost sight of him; but about five minutes later his Adjutant ran past me and called out that he himself was hit in the face and that the Colonel had been shot in the side.” He _m._ Maude Aileen, dau. of the late Col. Hanley, R.E.; _s.p._

=NEWTH, WALTER JOSEPH=, Trooper, No. 11/495 2nd Queen Alexandra’s Squadron, Wellington Mounted Rifles, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 5th _s._ of George Charles Newth, of Sandy Farm, Luckington, Chippenham, Wilts, Farmer, by his wife, Charlotte Mary, dau. of J. H. Harris; _b._ Sandy Farm, Luckington, Chippenham, co. Wilts, 23 April, 1891; educ. Village School there; left home in July, 1912, to take up farming in New Zealand; volunteered on the outbreak of war and enlisted Sept. 1914; left with 2nd reinforcements, and was killed in action at Gallipoli, 27 Aug. 1915; _unm._

=NEWTON, ERNEST=, Armourer’s Crew, M. 2643, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=NEWTON, FREDERICK=, L.-Corpl., No. 9311, 3rd Battn. Coldstream Guards; _b._ Warwick; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders; died at Coulommieres, 9 Sept. 1914, of wounds received in action. Buried in Cemetery there; _unm._

=NEWTON, GEORGE HENRY=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 6696), S.S. 968, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=NEWTON, WILLIAM HENRY=, Gunner, R.M.A., 13524, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NIBLETT, HENRY=, Stoker, 1st Class, 225960, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=NICHOLL, CHRISTOPHER BENONI=, Lieut., 5th Battn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, yst. _s._ of the late Rev. Edward Powell Nicholl, of Ogmore, Manitou, Manitoba; formerly vicar of Ascott-sub-Wychwood, co. Oxon, and recently Incumbent of Mission of St. Luke, Pembina Crossing, Manitoba, by his wife, Sarah, dau. of John Jenkyns, of Llanblethian, Glamorgan, and grandson of the late Right Hon. John Nicholl, of Merthyr Mawr, co. Glamorgan; _b._ Leighton Buzzard, co. Bedford, 15 Dec. 1881; educ. Manitoba Public Schools, and St. John’s Collegiate School, Winnipeg; was a Chemist; received a commission as Lieut. in the 16th Saskatchewan Light Horse, Nov. 1911; and on the outbreak of war at once volunteered for Imperial service, and was appointed Lieut. 5th Battn. 22 Sept. 1914; came over with the first contingent in Oct. following; went to France, 25 May, and died in No. 3 Casualty Clearing Hospital, Bailleul, 30 July, 1915, of wounds received on the 29th, when on night patrol near Ploegsteert, examining the wire entanglements in front of the trenches; _unm._ In the Battn. journal his comrades wrote of him: “A quiet and unostentatious officer was Lieut. Nicholl. But he was one whose conscience was keen for good service ... those who were privileged to know him knew an honest heart and a nature entirely true and faithful.”

=NICHOLAS, GEORGE ARTHUR=, No. 2101, A Coy., 1/4th Battn. Royal Sussex Regt. (T.F.), eldest _s._ of James Nicholas, of Limehurst Lodge, Haywards Heath, Gardener, by his wife, Ruth Mary, dau. of George Mitchell; _b._ Wivelsfield, co. Sussex, 31 May. 1895; educ. St. Wilfred’s School, Haywards Heath; was a Butcher’s Assistant, enlisted 31 Aug. 1914; left with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 16 July, 1915, and was killed in action in Gallipoli, 11 Sept. 1915; _unm._

=NICHOLAS, ROBERT STANLEY=, Private, R.M.L.I. (R.F.R., 1871), late Ch./12017, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NICHOLLS, HARRY=, Chief Armourer, 151366, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NICHOLLS, HENRY ARTHUR=, Private, No. 8777, 2nd Battn. Coldstream Guards, _s._ of the late James Nicholls, of Birmingham; _b._ Birmingham. 19 Feb. 1895; educ. Highfield Road School there; enlisted 30 June, 1910, served three years with the Colours, and then entered the employ of the G.W.R. as a carman. On the declaration of war, 5 Aug. 1914, he was called up, went to the Front with his regt. and served through the retreat from Mons, the Battles of the Aisne and the Marne, and all the severe fighting from 26 Oct. to 20 Nov. when in the words of the Brigadier-General Commanding the 4th (Guards) Brigade, “the Coldstreams held their line intact under hardships and strain that it is impossible to describe.” During these four weeks they had occupied trenches dug on a hill full of natural springs, and which were “undrainable, and constantly full of water above the knee for 23 days. The gale of about 2 Nov. cleared the wood in which they were, of every particle of cover, the trees having been all pierced through by shrapnel and bullets. Hand grenades thrown at them were, on one occasion when they did not explode, picked up and hurled back again, and they finally rejoined the Brigade on the right flank of this part of the British line on 17 Nov. in as good heart as the day they left England.” On 20 Nov. they were withdrawn for a short rest, but were soon back in the firing line and Nicholls died of wounds received in action the same day at La Bassée, 31 Jan. 1915, and was buried in Cuinchy Churchyard. He _m._ at Walworth, London, 29 June, 1913, Helen Adelaide (119, Albany Road, Camberwell, S.E.), dau. of (--) Ware, and had a dau., Phyllis May, _b._ 30 April, 1914.

=NICHOLLS, JOHN WILLIAM ERNEST=, Boy, 1st Class, J. 26610, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=NICHOLLS, WILLIAM CHARLES=, Private, No. 19427, 1st Battn. The Welsh Regt., _s._ of William Charles Nicholls, Sailor; _b._ Penzance, 7 Dec. 1880; educ. National School there, enlisted following the outbreak of war, 15 Nov. 1914, served in France with the Expeditionary Force, and was killed at Zillebeke, 25 May, 1915. He _m._ at Penzance, 22 Sept. 1901, Alice Maud, dau. of George James Pidwell, and had six sons: William Charles, _b._ 4 Nov. 1901; George James, _b._ 30 Jan. 1905; Richard John, _b._ 26 Oct. 1907; Stephen, _b._ 18 Nov. 1909; Arthur Reginald, _b._ 26 Nov. 1912; and Edward Harvey, _b._ 22 Oct. 1914.

=NICHOLLS, WILLIAM JAMES=, Chief Stoker, 170482, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=NICHOLSON, ARTHUR KNIGHT=, 2nd Lieut., 18th (Queen Mary’s Own) Hussars, only _s._ of Herbert Nicholson, of Ridborough Hall, Tunbridge Wells, J.P., C.C., by his wife, Stella, dau. of Edward W. Knight; _b._ Helena, Montana, U.S.A., 6 Oct. 1893; educ. St. Andrew’s, Harrow, and Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., 18th Hussars, 22 Jan. 1913; went to France, Aug. 1914; and was killed in action at St. Eloi, 31 Oct. following. Buried near Chateau Hollebeke; _unm._

=NICHOLS, WALTER=, Stoker, 1st Class, 310744, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NICHOLS, WILLIAM HENRY=, Stoker (R.F.R., Ch. B. 4613), 173115, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NICHOLSON, BASIL LEE=, Lieut., 3rd Staffordshire Battery, North Midland Brigade, R.F.A. (T.F.), yst. _s._ of Sir Arthur Nicholson, of Highfield Hall, Leek, co. Stafford, J.P., C.C., by his wife, Marianne Lee, dau. of Robert Falkner, of Kersal; _b._ Highfield Hall, 24 Oct. 1890; educ. Malvern, Rugby, and afterwards in Germany and Switzerland, joined the Territorial Force shortly after its formation, served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, and was killed in the trenches near Ypres, while making observations, 24 July, 1915; _unm._ He was buried in the Dranoutre Churchyard. Col. Sir Hill Child, Bart., wrote: “He was shot through the head this afternoon, when on duty as observing officer in the trenches. His brother (who was wounded the previous Wednesday) is quite heart-broken, as indeed we all are. I have always considered your two sons the two best young officers in my brigade.” His two brothers, Capt. A. Falkner Nicholson and Capt. Malcolm Nicholson, are both (1916) serving with the R.F.A.

=NICHOLSON, DAVID BEVERIDGE=, Private, No. 3035, 1/5th Battn. (Queen’s Edinburgh Rifles) Royal Scots (Lothian Regt.) (T.F.), 2nd _s._ of Rev. Thomas Brown Nicholson, of Chalmers Street, Dunfermline, Minister of the United Free Church of Scotland, M.A., by his wife, Barbara Stevenson, dau. of the late David Beveridge, of Kingskettle; _b._ Hamilton, co. Lanark, 22 Dec. 1895; educ. Dunfermline High School, and was afterwards engaged as an apprentice with Oliver Melville, Robb & Scott, Electrical Engineers, Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy. In Dec. 1914 he enlisted in the Queen’s Edinburgh Rifles, and was chosen as one of a draft in May, 1915, to go to Gallipoli to strengthen the 5th Royal Scots, reaching there just before the heavy fighting in which that regt. so distinguished itself. He took part in the famous charge of 28 June, 1915, and was thereafter reported missing, until 7 March, 1916, when he was posted as killed in action; _unm._ A comrade wrote: “I knew him well and I was much attached to the young lad. We had talks together and shared our dug-outs together often and on the awful day, we went over the parapet together. I was wounded in the attack and he went on, so, of course, from that time I knew nothing further. I shall ever treasure the memory of him, and shall ever think of him as the brave young lad who did not seem to know fear.” “I have put my faith in God, and am ready for whatever happens,” he wrote, in one of his last letters.

=NICHOLSON, JOHN BEVERIDGE=, Private, No. 2253, 1/4th (City of Dundee) Battn. The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (T.F.), eldest _s._ of the Rev. Thomas Brown Nicholson, M.A., Minister of the Chalmers Street United Free Church, Dumfermline, by his wife, Barbara Stevenson, dau. of the late David Beveridge, of Kingskettle, Manufacturer; _b._ Hamilton, 24 May, 1894; educ. High School, Dumfermline; was a journalist and a member of the literary Staff of John Leng & Co., Dundee; volunteered on the outbreak of war and joined the 1/4th Black Watch, 10 Aug. 1914; left for France on Tuesday, 23 Feb. 1915, and was killed in action near Festubert, 12 July following, being shot by a sniper while repairing the trenches at midnight. Buried, Grave No. 7, Row H, Sheet, France, Bethune, Square R. 32d. 7.5; _unm._ Capt. E. Leslie Boase, commanding D Coy. to which he belonged (himself killed in France in Aug. 1916), wrote: “He was to me not only a comrade-in-arms, but also a friend. I have known young Nicholson to volunteer for a very dangerous bit of work, and keep at it unflinchingly till finished without, so to speak, turning a hair. He went at Neuve Chapelle twice with me, his Capt., on quite a dangerous errand of mercy--voluntarily, and if anything had been necessary to assure me of his bravery, I had it then. His death came like a cruel blow to me.” A comrade, L-Corpl. W. C. Andrews, wrote: “There was not a man in the platoon who was not his friend. I knew him and liked him in civilian days, but it was out here, amid hardships and dangers, that I learned how splendid in manhood he was; how fine and fearless in thought and act. I never knew him do or say a mean thing. He was the very soul of chivalry. Long shall we miss his cheery laughter, his little acts of exquisite courtesy and thoughtfulness.” Another comrade, L.-Corpl. Joseph Lee, wrote: “He passed to his death in the fearless manner in which he faced all that was uncongenial to one of his refined and artistic disposition in our present environment.” The editor of “Answers,” wrote: “As fine a fellow as ever donned a Black Watch kilt; he sent home several of the most realistic letters from the firing-line that have been published since the outbreak of the war.” And the “Dundee Advertiser” remarked: “It is indeed a singularly promising career which has been cut short. While yet a mere boy, he had acquired a bright, clear and forcible style of writing; he had both fancy and wit; he had read much and felt a keen interest in all human affairs. His achievement already was considerable, and there can be no doubt that, with matured powers and wider experience, he would have attained distinction as a journalist and writer of fiction. Some of his poems written at the Front have won high praise from qualified critics for their fine feeling and delicate phrasing, while his prose descriptions of battlefield scenes are full of vigour.” Among his writings may be mentioned his recruiting appeal “A call from the trenches,” which was printed in pamphlet form and given away by the military authorities in street distribution; some charming verses entitled “On hearing a lark singing at dawn in the trenches,” and a poem of singular beauty, “The Crucifix,” which has been widely cited and which would alone suffice to stamp the writer as a poet of a very high order. His brother David was also killed in action (see his notice).

=NICHOLSON, JOHN CHARLES=, Private, No. 10347, 3rd Battn. Coldstream Guards, _s._ of John William Nicholson, of 15, Villa Terrace, Alexandra Street, Hull; _b._ co. York; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders; killed in action at Zillebeke, 19 Nov. 1914; _unm._ Buried there.

=NICHOLSON, LAWRENCE CAIL, D.S.O.=, Lieut., 3rd, attd. 1st. Battn. Princess Charlotte of Wales’ Royal Berkshire Regt., 4th _s._ of Frederick William Nicholson, of Shiplake, Henley-on-Thames, by his wife, Annie, dau. of Benjamin Cail, of Maidenhead; _b._ Maidenhead, co. Berks, 30 Aug. 1882; educ. Uppingham; was embodied with Militia 1 year 38 days, and attd. to Regulars 362 days; served in South African War with Mounted Infantry, 1899–1901; was gazetted 2nd Lieut., 14th (King’s) Hussars, 26 March, 1902, and promoted Lieut. 24 Jan. 1905; retired and joined the Special Reserve of Officers; appointed Lieut., 3rd Berkshire Regt., 28 July, 1914; went to France, 30 Aug. 1914, attd. to the 1st Battn.; “led and commanded his platoon admirably during an attack on German position Passchendaele-Becelaere Road, which resulted in the taking of the enemy’s trenches and 70 prisoners,” for which he was awarded the D.S.O. [London Gazette, 1 Dec. 1914]; was wounded in action near Ypres, 23 Oct. 1914, and died of wounds in London. 2 Nov. following; _unm._

=NICHOLSON, LEONARD SAMPSON=, 2nd Lieut., 1/12th Battn. (The Rangers) The London Regt. (T.F.), 2nd _s._ of John Nicholson, of Tanshelf Mills, Pontefract, co. York, Matting Manufacturer, by his wife, Elizabeth (West View, Ackworth Road. Pontefract), dau. of Leonard Sampson, of Humburton Grange, Boro’bridge, Yorks; _b._ Pontefract, 14 July, 1890; educ. King’s School, Pontefract; on leaving school he entered a wholesale iron and steel business in London; became a member of the Polytechnic, and in March, 1909, joined The Rangers; volunteered for Imperial service on the outbreak of war, and left for France with his battn. on Christmas Eve, 1914, holding the rank of Platoon Sergt.; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 14 April, 1915. He was killed in action at Verlorenhoek, during the Second Battle of Ypres, 2 May following. His Commanding Officer. Lieut.-Col. A. D. Bayliffe, wrote: “His death was a great loss to the Rangers; he would have made a very valuable officer had he been spared.” He was greatly esteemed by his men and, to quote from a letter written by one of them, “there was not a man in his platoon who would not have died for him if occasion had arisen. He faithfully upheld the honour of the British Army, and died doing his best for King and Country.”

=NICKLIN, GEORGE=, Acting Chief Armourer, 342117, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=NICOL, ALEXANDER=, 2nd Lieut., 1/5th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (T.F.), 4th _s._ of the late John S. Nicol, of 85, Brisbane Street, Greenock, Coal Merchant, by his wife, Agnes Berwick, eldest dau. of the late Charles Mill, of Greenock, Shipowner; _b._ Greenock. 5 Nov. 1893; educ. Greenock Academy; was qualifying as a C.A. with Messrs. Kidston, Goff & Findlay, C.A., Glasgow. He received a commission as 2nd Lieut., 1/5th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 16 Jan. 1914; volunteered for Imperial service on the outbreak of war; went to the Dardanelles in June, 1915, and was killed in action during the attack on the Krithia-Achi Baba position, Gallipoli, 12 July following; _unm._ Two of his brothers, Capt. C. M. Nicol, R.A.M.C. (Regular Army prior to outbreak of war), and Lieut. John E. Nicol, R.N.V.R., are (1916) on active service.

=NICOL, FRANK=, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., Ch. B. 7237), S.S. 102206, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NICOL, HUGH JOHN=, Sergt., No. 741, 1/4th Battn. The Royal Scots (Lothian Regt.) (T.F.), 2nd _s._ of the late John Nicol, of Edinburgh, Principal Stamper, Inland Revenue, by his wife, Ann S. (1c, Maxwell Street, Edinburgh), dau. of John McIntosh, of 2, Bangholm Terrace, Edinburgh; _b._ Edinburgh, 11 Nov. 1889; educ. South Morningside Board School there; and was in the office of the Assistant Secretary and Comptroller, Inland Revenue, Edinburgh. He had joined the 4th (Territorial) Battn. of the Royal Scots in 1909, and after the outbreak of war volunteered for Imperial service; went to the Dardanelles with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force and was killed in action there, 28 June, 1915; _unm._ He was a member of St. Matthew’s Parish Church, Edinburgh. His brothers, Corpl. David Nicol, No. 13266, Cameron Highlanders, and L.-Corpl. William C. Nicol, No. 4130 (Highlanders) Royal Scots, are both on active service.

=NICOL, WALTER=, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 14678 (Ports.), H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NICOLSON, JOHN=, Private, No. 2283, 2nd Battn. Australian Imperial Force, 4th _s._ of John Nicolson, of 5, Lower Ollach, Braes, Portree, Skye, Crofter, by his wife, Margaret, dau. of John Ross, of Camusknioag; _b._ Braes, aforesaid, 15 July, 1896; educ. Braes Public School, and Portree Higher Grade School, Skye; went to Australia, 3 May, 1914; volunteered for Imperial service on the outbreak of war, and was killed in action at the Dardanelles between 6 and 9 Aug. 1915; _unm._

=NIGHTINGALE, WILLIAM ARTHUR=, A.B. (R.F.R., I.C. 84), 140682, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=NILSON, CECIL EDGAR=, Private, No. 2063, D Coy. 3rd Battn. (Royal Fusiliers) London Regt. (T.F.), _s._ of Julius Nilson, of 12, Welham Road, Streatham, S.W., Organ Tuner, by his wife, Emma Annie, dau. of the late William Goodwin Brightling, of Kennington, S.E.; _b._ Kennington, 19 Aug. 1894; educ. L.C.C. School, Mitcham Lane, Streatham; was employed by Liberty & Co.; enlisted on the outbreak of war, 31 Aug. 1914; was terribly wounded in action, 24 Feb. 1915, and died in a Clearing Hospital at Merville, France, the same evening; _unm._ Buried in the cemetery there. A comrade wrote: “I am very sorry to inform you that our comrade Nilson got wounded on a working party the other day. We were out at a place which is named by our troops as ..., and I can assure you it was a perfect hell. The Germans had a machine-gun trained upon the gates and at night to get to our duty posts we had to dodge a perfect fusilade of shot. In front of our post one could see two dead cows which could not be buried owing to the terrific danger, and it was at this place when our friend Nilson was shot. We were working at night strengthening a trench when the Germans sent up a very brilliant star shell followed by heavy fire.... The Leicesters with whom we were working informed me that they had never seen a man bear such pain so bravely; the shot entered his back and went through his stomach.”

=NIXON, FRANCIS EUGENE ARCHER=, Ship’s Steward, 219829, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=NIXON, GERARD FERRERS=, Lieut., 129th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, yst. _s._ of Major-Gen. Arundel James Nixon, of Clone, Ballyragget, co. Kilkenny, D.L., late R.A., by his wife, Maria Lucy, dau. of the late John Laurence, D.L.; _b._ Stoke, Devonport, 25 Jan. 1891; educ. Cheltenham College and Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; gazetted 2nd Lieut., R.F.A., 23 Dec. 1910, and promoted Lieut. 23 Dec 1913; left for France, Aug. 1914, and was killed in action near Neuve Chapelle, 24 Oct. following. Buried Fauquissart, in an orchard in the Rue de Bacquerot; _unm._ The Officer commanding his battery wrote: “It is a very great sorrow indeed to us all that we have lost him. Officers and men were devoted to him. He was a gallant little fellow and a first-class officer.” He was mentioned in Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 Jan. 1915, for gallant and distinguished conduct in the field. He was a keen sportsman; rode very well and was very good at all games.

=NIXON, WILLIAM=, Boy, 1st Class, J. 26752 (Ports.), H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=NOBBS, WILLIAM ROBERT=, Seaman, R.N.R., 2282A, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NOBLE, CHARLES CRAWFORD=, Private, No. 6/698, 13th Canterbury and Westland Regt., New Zealand Expeditionary Force, _s._ of George Noble, of Blue Spur, Hokitika, New Zealand, Gold Miner, by his wife, Jeannie A. S., dau. of Alexander Walker, of Strichen; _b._ Fraserburgh, 31 Jan. 1887; educ. All Saints’ School, Strichen; went to New Zealand, 7 May, 1906; volunteered and joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, after the outbreak of war, 17 Aug. 1914; left for Egypt with the main body in Oct.; took part in the landing at the Dardanelles, 25 April, 1915, and died on board H.M.S. Royal George, 12 May following, of wounds received in action at Cape Helles on the 8th; _unm._

=NOBLE, CORNELIUS=, Private, No. 1856, 5th Battn. Northumberland Fusiliers (T.F.), yst. _s._ of John Noble, of 310, Church Street, Walker, co. Northumberland, by his wife. Alice; _b._ Walker, 7 June, 1895; educ. West Walker Council Schools; joined the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers, 1 June, 1913; volunteered for Imperial service, 5 Aug. 1914; went to France, 20 April, 1915, and was killed in action 24 May, 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres, 24 May, 1915. Buried, Boulogne; _unm._

=NOBLE, GEORGE=, Private, No. 6507, 1st Battn. Royal West Kent Regt., _s._ of Thomas Noble, of 25, Sigismund Street, Blackwall; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; died 26 Nov. 1914, of wounds received in action.

=NOBLE, GEORGE=, Driver, No. 8125, 1st Battn. Royal West Kent Regt.; served with the Expeditionary Force in France; killed in action 28 Oct. 1914; _m._

=NOBLE, JACK EDWARD=, Private, No. 15184, 3rd Battn. Middlesex Regt., _s._ of George Noble, of High Wycombe, Bucks; served with the Expeditionary Force in France; killed in action, 21 March, 1915.

=NOBLE, ROBERT=, Stoker, Petty Officer (R.F.R., B. 4521), 171089, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NOBLE, THOMAS=, of Aberdeen, lost when the mine-sweeping trawler No. 61 (Crathie, of Aberdeen) was sunk by a mine, Aug. 1914.

=NOEL, HERBERT BISHOP=, C.E.R.A., 2nd Class (Pensioner), 269614, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NOLAN, MYLES PATRICK=, Private, No. 2754, 2nd Battn. 8th Middlesex Regt. (T.F.), 2nd _s._ of the late William Nolan, of Fulham, by his wife, Catherine, dau. of Michael (and Mary) Murphy, of Dublin; _b._ Fulham, S.W., 3 June, 1897; educ. Council School there; was an Assistant Engineer, P.O. Telegraph; joined the 10th Middlesex Territorials in June, 1912; volunteered for foreign service, Aug. 1914; was transferred to the 2/8th Middlesex, and was drafted to Gibraltar, Sept. 1914, returning to England, Feb. 1915; went to France, 8 March, 1915, and was killed in action at Rye, France, 21 Oct. 1915, being shot by a sniper; _unm._ Letters from his officers speak of him as a good soldier and a general favourite.

=NOOTT, MERVYN=, 2nd Lieut., 1st Battn. The Buffs (East Kent Regt.), yst. _s._ of William Mathias Noott, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., L.S.A., and his wife, Louisa (Upton Lodge, St. Peter’s, Thanet), eldest dau. of the late Sir Alfred Hickman, 1st Bart., M.P.; _b._ Kensington Park Road, London, 19 May, 1890; educ. Mr. Edminson’s, Tan-y-bryn, Llandudno, and Fauconberg School, Beccles; joined the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battn. The Buffs as 2nd Lieut. 15 March, 1911, and promoted Lieut. 20 Jan. 1913; passed into the Regulars as 2nd Lieut., 1st Buffs, 24 May, 1913; left for France, 16 Sept. 1914; and was killed in action at Radinghem Wood, near Lille, 20 Oct. following; _unm._ Capt. R. Bright wrote: “Your son was killed in action on the 20th. He was gallantly leading his men under heavy fire, and every one who was near him cannot speak too highly of his conduct. I cannot tell you how sorry I am to lose him, and how I feel for you in your loss. But he died gallantly and knew nothing of being hit, being killed instantaneously. He was a good soldier and thoroughly popular with both officers and men, and we can ill afford to lose him.” Major (Brig.-Gen.) E. H. Finch-Hatton, D.S.O., wrote: “There is one thing that I can bear witness to, and that is a more noble and more chivalrous boy has never fallen on the field of battle. His enthusiasm and his sense of duty and chivalry were quite out of the ordinary. He was more like a knight of old, and it is such as he who have made the glory of the British Army to be what it is to-day--the wonder and the admiration of the world.” And L.-Corpl. Kisby wrote: “The platoon would have followed him anywhere. Yes, every man was devoted to him. He won this by his many acts of kindness and cheerfulness, and, above all, they had a great respect for him as a brave man, for undoubtedly he knew no fear.” He had taken a flying certificate and hoped to join the Royal Flying Corps.

=NORLEY, SIDNEY HENRY=, Acting Chief Stoker, 195527, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NORMAN, ALBERT EDMUND=, Capt., 3rd (Reserve) Battn. East Surrey Regt., attd. Army Cyclist Corps, yst. _s._ of the late Henry Alexander Norman, of Croydon, by his wife, Annie, dau. of (--) Roberts; _b._ Croydon, 7 April, 1875; educ. Whitgift Middle School, Croydon; was in a Bank; received a commission as 2nd Lieut. in 1st Vol. Battn. Royal West Surrey Regt. 7 Jan. 1905; gazetted Lieut., 3rd East Surreys, 11 Sept. 1914; attd. Army Cyclist Corps, 1 Dec. following; promoted Capt. 24 March, 1915, and went to France 27 March, and died in hospital at Merville, 11 May, 1915, of wounds received in the advance against the Aubers Ridge on the 9th. Buried at Merville. The N.C.Os. and men of his company erected a stone to his memory. A comrade wrote: “He very much distinguished himself in offering to take a despatch message under heavy fire. He was successful in getting it through, but was wounded on returning to Headquarters.” He was mentioned in Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 30 Nov. 1915 [London Gazette, 1 Jan. 1916]. He _m._ at Croydon, 5 Jan. 1905, Linda Burnell, dau. of the late William Bust Turner, of Croydon, Surrey; _s.p._

=NORMAN, EDWARD=, A.B., 226971, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=NORMAN, ERRINGTON HOUNSOME=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 9676), S.S. 2428, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NORMAN, ROBERT=, Private, No. 2200, A Coy., 4th Battn. Suffolk Regt., _s._ of Robert Norman, Sailor; _b._ Ipswich, 18 Oct. 1882; educ. St. Clement’s School, Ipswich; was a Labourer at Paul’s Barley Factory, Ipswich; volunteered and enlisted in Sept. 1914; went to France, 6 Nov. 1914, and was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle, 11 March, 1915. Capt. S. L. Brown wrote: “Your husband was a soldier from head to foot, and an Englishman, and the example he set to the younger men was grand--I shall never have a better man to go with me anywhere. It may, perhaps, be a little comfort to you to know that his death was instantaneous: a soldier’s death without pain.” He _m._ at St. Helen’s Church, Ipswich, 25 Dec. 1906, Alice Maud (50, Rosebery Road, Ipswich), dau. of George (and Ellen) Prebble, of Ipswich, and had three children: Robert William, _b._ 14 Sept. 1907; Arthur George, _b._ 31 May, 1913; and Elsie May, _b._ 6 Nov. 1900.

=NORMAN, ROBERT=, Leading Seaman (R.F.R., I.C. 35), 186027, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=NORMANLY, MARTIN=, Private, No. 9791, 3rd Battn. Coldstream Guards, _s._ of Thomas Normanly, of Montuaigh, Curry, co. Sligo, Farmer, by his wife, Bridget, dau. of Thomas Gallagher; _b._ Montuaigh, Curry, afsd. 14 Oct. 1892; educ. National School there; was a Coal Miner; joined the Coldstreams in Oct. 1912; went to France, 12 Aug. 1914, and was killed in action at Mons, on the 25th; _unm._

=NORRIS, GEORGE CROSSLEY=, Deckhand, No. 207 D.A., Trawler Section, R.N.R.; lost when the mine-sweeping trawler No. 61 called “Crathie” (Thomas W. Irvine, of North Shields) was sunk by a mine, Aug. 1914.

=NORRIS, OSWALD MARK=, Private, No. 61221, 1st Canterbury Infantry, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 7th _s._ and yst. child of Thomas C. Norris, of Christchurch, J.P., late Secretary and Treasurer to North Canterbury Hospital Board, by his wife, Mary; _b._ Christchurch, New Zealand, 15 June, 1892; educ. Christ’s College, Canterbury, New Zealand, after which he took up sheep farming in Hawkes Bay, and while there joined the local Regt. of Mounted Rifles, in which he was a corpl. when war broke out. He volunteered for Imperial service, 12 Oct. 1914; left for Egypt with the main body; took part in the repulse of the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal in Feb. 1915, and was killed in action during the landing at Gebe Tepe, Gallipoli, 25 April, 1915; _unm._ A comrade wrote: “In our camp life your son’s sterling qualities and high principles made him very popular. The memory of your son Oswald--a brave and true man--will ever remain dear to us”; and another: “He was a favourite among all, and everybody admired his strength of character and his great lovable disposition.”

=NORRIS, REGINALD HAYDEN=, Corpl., No. 9096, 2nd Battn. The King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regt., _s._ of William Norris, of 6, Pleasant Place, Chalvey, by his wife, Mary Ann; _b._ Chalvey, Slough, 8 March, 1889; educ. Board School there; enlisted 22 Oct. 1906; left for France, 20 Sept., and was killed in action at Metrean, 13 Oct. 1914. Buried there. He _m._ at Scotforth, Lancaster, 25 Dec. 1913, Helena Eleanor (12, Abbey Terrace, Scotforth, Lancaster), dau. of Joseph Kendall, of Scotforth; _s.p._

=NORRIS, ROBERT=, Engine Room Artificer, 2nd Class, No. Ch. 149732, R.N., _s._ of Robert Norris; _b._ Chatham, co. Kent, 22 Aug. 1866; educ. St. Paul’s School there; joined the Navy, 23 May, 1889; served in South African War (medal), and on H.M.S. Cressy, and was lost when that ship was sunk in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914; _unm._ He had the Long Service and Good Conduct medal.

=NORRIS, WILLIAM=, Private, No. 10734, 1st Battn. Coldstream Guards, yst. _s._ of Joseph Norris, of 35, Albert Road, Tamworth, Warwick, Carpenter (a native of Lancashire), by his wife, Elizabeth, dau. of David Marney, of Melbourne, Victoria; _b._ Melbourne, 28 Nov. 1893, came to England with his parents when two years of age, and was educ. at Tamworth Council School; was employed as a Platelayer on the L. &. N.W. Railway; enlisted in May, 1914, and was killed in action at Ypres, 29 Oct. 1914; _unm._

=NORSWORTHY, EDWARD CUTHBERT=, Major, 13th Battn. (Royal Highlanders of Canada), 3rd Brigade, Canadian Expeditionary Force, eldest _s._ of James Counter Norsworthy, of Ingersoll, P. Ontario, Canada, by his wife, Mary Jane, eldest dau. of Alexander Cuthbert, of Ingersoll, and gdson. of John Norsworthy, of the Parish of Widdicombe, co. Devon, England (who went to Canada in 1852); _b._ Ingersoll afsd., 29 May, 1879; killed in action in the Battle of Langemarck on 22 May, 1915; educ. Ingersoll and St. Thomas’ Public Schools, from which he passed to the Upper Canada College, and thence matriculated to McGill University, at which time he won the Governor-General’s gold medal for mathematics. He subsequently became registered as a Student of the Institute of Actuaries of Great Britain along with his younger brother Stanley. At the examination held that year, there were thirty-six candidates writing in the Dominion; of this number five were successful, including Major Norsworthy and his brother. In his student days he had been connected with the Cadet Corps at St. Thomas’ Collegiate Institute, and the Upper Canada College Rifle Corps. Deciding to adopt a career in the financial world, he obtained a position with Messrs. G. A. Stimson & Co., of Toronto, and in 1901 he opened an office in Montreal as Manager for the Dominion Securities Corporation. He joined the 5th Royal Highlanders as a subaltern, shortly after his arrival there, and after passing his examination at St. John’s (Quebec) Military School, he became Capt. in 1905, and Adjutant three years later, and Major in 1909. On the outbreak of war, Major Norsworthy volunteered his services, and helped to organise the 13th Battn. for active service, and accompanied it to Europe as Senior Major and Second in Command. While in England, he was offered an appointment with Sir Max Aitken, the Canadian “Eye Witness,” but preferred to remain with his regt.; _unm._ On 22 April, 1915, the Germans, using virulent and asphyxiating gasses for the first time, were able to overcome a portion of the French troops adjoining our line. In the words of Sir John French’s Despatch of 15 June, 1915: “The left flank of the Canadian Division was thus left dangerously exposed to serious attack in flank, and there appeared to be a prospect of their being overwhelmed, and of a successful attempt by the Germans to cut off the British troops occupying the salient to the east. In spite of the danger to which they were exposed, the Royal Highlanders of Canada held their ground with a magnificent display of tenacity and courage; and it is not too much to say that the bearing and conduct of these splendid troops averted a disaster which might have been attended with the most serious consequences.” The 13th Battn. (5th Royal Highlanders) were the first Canadian troops to meet a charge of the Germans, and notwithstanding they were greatly outnumbered, and were being attacked in flank in their dug-outs, Major Norsworthy skilfully led his men out to the Ypres-Poelcapelle Road, manning the road ditches facing the advancing Germans, and heroically holding their position, and refusing to give one inch of ground, thereby setting the pace for the whole division. Major Norsworthy’s part in the action was thus described by one of the privates present: “After having remained in the dug-outs for about one hour, with our throats parched and our eyes watering, caused by the gas, we could see that the Germans had broken our lines. It was reported to Major Norsworthy, and he gave the order to ‘stand to’ which we were waiting anxiously to do, and he led us out to the Ypres-Poelcapelle Road. It was not long before they began to pick our boys off. Major Norsworthy was hit in the neck by a bullet, but it did not stop him from walking up and down our line, encouraging our men to hold fast. It was not until he received the second bullet that he had to give in and lie down. We bound him up as well as we could, but the second wound was serious, and he died about three-quarters of an hour after.” Another private who was with Major Norsworthy said: “As we advanced out of our dug-outs and trenches--that were being enfiladed--we met a perfect storm of shell and rifle bullets, when some inclinations of hesitancy and flinching were shown. Seeing this, Major Norsworthy sprang to the front and called out, ‘Come on, men, remember that we are Canadians and all the eyes of Canada are upon us.’ His action and words steadied those that were wavering, and we all followed him with a wild cheer, and advanced to the Ypres-Poelcapelle Road ditches--facing the advancing Germans--which gave us some little protection, and we stuck it there to the last man.” The following are extracts spoken to the first Canadian Division after the twelve days and nights of fighting included in the period from 22 of April to the 4th of May, 1915; “I tell you truly that my heart is so full I hardly know how to speak to you. It is full of sorrow for the loss of those comrades of ours who have gone, and pride in what the first Canadian Division has done. I think it is possible that you do not all of you quite realise that if we had retired in the evening of 22 April, when our Allies fell back before the gas and left our left flank quite open, the whole of the 27th and 28th Division would probably have been cut off. This is what our Commander-in-Chief meant when he telegraphed as he did: ‘The Canadians saved the situation.’ My lads, if ever men have had a right to be praised in this work, you have.” Major Norsworthy was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 31 May, 1915, for gallant and distinguished service in the field.

=NORTH, ARTHUR=, Sergt., No. G. 582, 9th (Service) Battn. East Kent Regt.; died in Dover Military Hospital, 4 June, 1915; _m._

=NORTH, FREDERICK ALBERT=, Sergt., No. 8010, 2nd Battn. East Surrey Regt.; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders; died 3 April, 1915, of wounds received in action; _m._

=NORTH, CHARLES NAPIER=, Major, 5th Field Coy. Royal Engineers, eldest _s._ of the late Col. Roger North, R.A., by his wife Fanny Ellen (Briarwood, Camberley), dau. of Stephen Beeching, of Tunbridge Wells; _b._ Bristol, 16 Aug. 1874; educ. Radley College, where he gained the Heathcote Mathematical Scholarship, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; gazetted 2nd Lieut. R.E. 10 Feb. 1893, and promoted Lieut. 10 Feb. 1896, Capt. 1 April, 1904, and Major, 25 July, 1913; served (1) in the South African War, 1899–1902, took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, March to May 1900, in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, Aug. to Nov. 1900, in the Orange River Colony, May to June 1900, in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899–1900, and in the Transvaal, Orange River Colony and Cape Colony, 1901–2; and was afterwards on the Staff, and from 20 May, 1902 to 7 Aug. 1902, was employed under the Dir. Mil. Intelligence (Queen’s medal with three clasps and the King’s medal with two clasps); and (2) with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, 15 Aug. to 1 Nov. 1914, on which latter date he was killed in action near Zonnebeke, during the First Battle of Ypres, being shot by a sniper while engaged in inspecting the erection of barbed wire entanglements in an exposed position. Buried in Zonnebeke Wood, N.E. of Ypres. The General Officer Commanding, Royal Engineers, 2nd Division, wrote: “Major North’s death was a severe loss not only to his own company, but to the Royal Engineers and the service generally, as on several occasions his devotion to duty and his excellent work had come under my observation, and I have no doubt his example conduced largely to the fine performance of the 5th Field Coy.” Major North was mentioned in Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 Jan. 1915. He _m._ at St. Mary Abbott’s Church, Kensington, 18 Dec. 1913, Norah, dau. of the late Col. Gribbon, of Inverness Terrace, W., and had a dau. Elizabeth, _b._ posthumous, 31 March, 1915.

=NORTH, WILLIAM THOMAS=, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 2721), 286931, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=NORTHCOTT, ALBERT HENRY=, Shipwright, No. Chat. 345561, Royal Navy, _s._ of Lieut. Albert Northcott, R.N., by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Swete (4, Springfield Terrace, Elburton Cross, near Plymouth), dau. of Samuel Tolcher; _b._ Plymouth, co. Devon, 6 April, 1887; educ. Ryders High School, Stoke Devonport; was for some time a Shipwright Apprentice in Devonport Dockyard; joined the Navy in 1907; served on H.M. ships Cyclops, London, and Cressy; took part in the Battle of Heligoland, and was lost when the Cressy was torpedoed in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914; _unm._