2614910 Harry NICHOLLS, VC, 3 Grenadier Guards

Last week I was over in Belgium and France to look at D Day beaches and to visit Pecq where my father was 21st may 1940 as a Coldstream Guard.

I visited Pecq and have some pictures which may be of interest. I was using a combination of the map in this thread, google and another old map which made it difficult, at first, to tie in as they are all different (given time) but did find what I believe to be the area which ties nicely into the hand drawn map in the thread.

The first photo is from the bridge which spans the canal at Pecq and is in the direction of the action of 21st May



On the map the roads shown between the main Pecq -Tournai road and the canal aren't roads but rather farm tracks and the one (if anyone wishes to follow me) is named La Garenne on Google map).

The road leads down to farms on the right and the branch off on the left (shown on hand drawn map leading to the Poplar Ridge) now curves round back to the main road but with a small spur as shown.

The second photo is taken from the junction on the road coming off the main road toward the canal and is angled right showing the farms which, on the hand drawn map, now sit in the two square enclosures.



The next photo is angled left across the cornfield. I had always assumed that this meant corn as in wheat but, in actual fact is sweet corn which is grown widely in this area. I assume this is where Nicholls won his VC.



Immediately behind the long line of poplars is the canal.

Whilst looking over the cornfiels we noticed a small building and cross situated roughly where Poplar Ridge is notated on the map.



We went across tothis and it is a small War Commission cemetry, beautifully looked after which contains about 100 English soldiers. These comprised Grenadier Guards (plus one Coldstream) at one end and rows of several other regiments down the sides. A quite poignant reminder of the action that night.
There is also a small building which holds a book of rememberance.






Hope you find this of interest and to me, it was certainly worth the day detour.

 

Here are copies f the Coldstream Guard War iaries for this action. They mention Nicolls so may be of interest. If you can't read try copying into Word document or contact me and I will e-mail copies.





Cheers

 

Hi Brian and cheers for the shots.

'Guards VC: Blitzkreig 1940' mentions Poplar Ridge too with an aerial shot of the area, where amongst other details of Guards Company positions etc it highlights where Nicholls earned his VC. Using the first map and the book I believe it is up the track of the road where the N50 sign is marked.



Note the Direction of North on the map below.

 

Just for clarification my photo's are taken from the junction of the track immediately above the notation "corn field" on this map. Where the track then curves round toward the canal is the cemetery (roughly where Poplar Ridge is ). I checked Google Earth and I don't see the cemetery on there which is odd.

 

I just realised today that there are some Now pictures of the action in the book I mentioned.

If you haven't got the book Brian I can highly recoomend it (It was recommeded to me by Owen) - I've only flicked through bits so far but it has some great stories in it.

Cheers
Andy

 

Hi Andy,

I came across your email asking for information as to how Harry Nichols obtained his VC. I have a letter that might be of interest to you. My grandfather was a Platoon Sergeant Major with the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards (BEF). Harry Nichols was in his battalion. My grandfather was killed in battle on May 21, 1940. After my grandmother was notified of his death she contacted John Nash (also in his regiment) and asked for the details of the fatefully battle.

I would be happy to furnish you with a copy of John Nash's letter to my grandmother.

 

Hi SAH,

I sent you a PM a few days ago. I trust you have read the very good book called 'Guards VC-Blitzkrieg 1940' by Dilip Sarkar?

Regards
Andy

 

Hi Andy,

I did receive your PM and but was not able to scan the letter until today. As I mentioned earlier, P. Nash wrote the letter at my grandmother request. My grandfather was Raymond John Hicks and is buried at Esquelmes War Cemetery.

The cemetery that Brispencer posted on 27-9-09 is actually Esquelmes. Information on those buried at Esquemles can be found at the War Grave's Commission web site. I also a copy saved in Microsoft excel if you are interested.

I have included both the letter and a picture of my grandfather (est. 1930). I have also included a picture of his regiment should anyone be interested. I'm not sure of the exact date of the picture, but it would have to be after 1937 when he made rank of sergeant. He was transferred to the 3rd Bttn and made PSM 1.9.39.


Regards,

Shelley

 

Hi Shelley,

Many thanks for sharing those items, very much appreciated! The letter made for very interesting reading and the photo's are great.

Regards
Andy

 

Just for clarification my photo's are taken from the junction of the track immediately above the notation "corn field" on this map. Where the track then curves round toward the canal is the cemetery (roughly where Poplar Ridge is ). I checked Google Earth and I don't see the cemetery on there which is odd.

Took awhile, but I think the cemetery is inside the pink square (image below, hopefully) and enlarged in the top left inset. Matches the decription, two rows of graves on either side (east and west) and several ranks of graves on the south end, opposite the white cross on the north end.

Also located the photos of the buildings and the corn/wheat fields.

brispencer, I'll send you a PM on those WD pages.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=23744&stc=1&d=1262725695


http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=23745&stc=1&d=1262725695

 

it's a little older than 1940 (1918), but it may help?...

It's shocking how little has changed since 1918. The image below might give you some idea how little has changed. With my software I'm able to turn the 1918 map on-and-off and see quite clearly the exact alignment of most of the farm buildings.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=23746&stc=1&d=1262727316

 

SAH - thank you again for posting that very personal letter.

Echoing what Andy has said, you might be very interested in the Guards VC book as it has a photo of a newly-promoted Segeant Percy Nash recreating the VC action with the brother of L/Cpl Nicholls while the battalion was at Louth (from where the letter was sent). Page 127 for those that have it.

 

Thanks Owen for the information on the regimental picture that I had posted. It makes sense that it would be a signal platoon as my grandfather attended instructor courses in signaling. I had not put the two pieces together.

Attached is the Esquelmes cemetery plan, which matches the Google map that Earthican posted. Thanks for posting the map with highlights; it gives a great view of the battlefield.

I have located a copy of the Guards VC books at a local bookstore. It should arrive any day and I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks to everyone for the recommendation!

Regards,

Shelley

 

Enjoyed reading your comments regarding the Poplar Ridge engagement and the part played by L/Cpl Harry Nicholls. My grandfather, Guardsman Bert Smith, served with L/Cpl Nicholls , indeed he tended L/Cpl Nicholls' wounds after capture (Bert himself received a head wound). Both Bert Smith and L/Cpl Nicholls ended up in Stalag XXB for the duration. I knew nothing of my beloved grandfather's part in this action until his funeral in 1983 when my cousin, Dilip Sarkar, spoke to some of his old comrades who attended. My grandfather never discussed his war experiences, consequently my old grandad was seen in an entirely new light! Dilip's book 'Guards VC Blitzkrieg 1940' is a fitting tribute to the men who took part in this action; unfortunately it's out of print, but used copies can be found on sites like Amazon etc.

 

Hi Dodgy and welcome to the forum.

Pass on my thanks to to Dilip for an excellent book and tell him to stop doing the Air books and do anther 1940 France book of a similiar theme, perhaps the Defence of Cassel

Cheers
Andy

 

This extract comes from the book "Churchill's Volunteer" by Reg Curtis. Reg was in the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards prior to Dunkirk and gave covering fire to Nicholls.

"A Lance Corporal Harry Nicholls and Guardsman Nash were ordered to flush out some bothersome machine-gun nests, six hundred yards from our positions. The section I was in gave covering fire. They picked their way with caution, using the cover available with great skill, because I did not see them anymore. They must have completed the mission as the machine-gun fire ceased after a while. Lance Corporal Nicholls was posted as missing, presumed killed, but later he was reported as being alive and in German hands. He was awarded the VC. In this semi-built up area on the river, the Germans afforded very good target practice for me, I just could not miss."

All the best............

 

Just another small point. i've read somewhere, it may have been in the Guards VC book, that there are several Guards (Coldstream?) buried in the Pecq communal cemetry. As I hadn't read the book at the time I visited I didn't visit this particular cemetry but if anyone does visit I would be interested in comments.

Earthican - Thanks for putting up the google earth map with the pointers to my photo's. Your identification of location where I took photos' is spot on.

Brian

 

Hello there, im new to this and am wondering if you may be able to help. Mr Harry Nicholls is a great grandfarther of mineand id like to make a collage of actual anacdotes or sketches(similar to the one youve posted about the battle ground), paintings done, such like such like. I dbe most grateful of any help