Thursday 25 April 2013 is ANZAC Day. You may have noticed last year that many wreaths and bouquets from the Dawn Service ended up at the statue of Sgt Henry James Nicholas V.C. M.M., northwest of the Bridge of Remembrance on Cambridge Terrace.
Henry Nicholas was the first soldier from the Canterbury Regiment to be awarded the Victoria Cross. He died in action on 23October 1918 aged 26. He was awarded the Military Medal posthumously for his bravery during the fight for the bridgeheads at the River Ecaillon near the village of Beaudignies on 23 October 1918, 12 days before the New Zealanders’ capture of the town of Le Quesnoy.
- About ANZAC Day
- ANZAC Day events in Christchurch and Canterbury
- ANZAC Day in pictures
- ANZAC Day information for kids
- World War I resources
- The Bridge of Remembrance
All of our libraries are closed on ANZAC Day.
22 April 2013 at 11:23 pm
Indeed brave Mr Nicholas. Several years back I photographed the family memorial to him and grave of his mother & probably 2 brothers at Bromley Cemetery [Christchurch] pre-quake and went back post quake saddened to see the headstone had fallen. Before and after pics [in comments section] here:
Cheers
Sarndra
23 April 2013 at 8:48 am
Thanks so much for sharing that Sarndra – adds so much to the story to see his actual grave.