Lt Stewart Boyce Nicholson

1897 Born Lanarkshire, Scotland. His father was a stone mason, born Ireland. His mother was also born in Ireland

1901 census at 77 Harriet St, Pollokshaws

1914 Sep 7. Enlisted in Gordon Highlanders

1914 Oct 7 Discharged Gordon Highlanders - not likely to become an efficient soldier because of an old knee injury

1916 Aug Landed in France

Above is Stewart Boyce Nicholson’s painting of the battlefield at Passchendaele. The artist served in the British Army as a Second Lieutenant of the Cameron Highlanders in the First World War. He fought at the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916, the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army, and was wounded in fighting at Passchendaele. The notorious conditions on the battlefield at Passchendaele are portrayed here in Nicholson’s painting. Nicholson continued his military service in the Second World War, as a member of the Royal Air Force and the Administrative and Special Duties Branch with British Intelligence in Palestine. He served the latter part of the war in Whitehall’s Cabinet War Rooms, until the end of hostilities in 1945. Nicholson relocated to St. Catharines with his wife Catherine and their son Boyd following WWII. For a brief time, he owned a confectionary shop on Louth Street, which specialized in marzipan candy. Following Catherine’s death, Nicholson returned to Scotland between 1970 and 1971, where he remained until his own death.

1917 Jun 27. Commissioned 2nd Lt in Cameron Highlanders

1918 married Catherine Cumberford in Glasgow

1919 Jan 22. Cam'n Highrs. Temp. 2nd Lt. S. B. Nicholson relinquishes his commission on account of ill health and retains the rank of 2nd Lt

1920 Dec 13. Joined ADRIC with service no 1232. Posted to F Coy

1921 Jan 22 Permitted to resign

1921 Apr 22. Re-instated with service no 1913

1921 May 12. Admitted Hospital

1921 Jun 4 to 12 Jul Medical Leave

Fined £5 and 4 days pay by Commandant, and a further £5

1921 Aug 27 Posted to J Coy

1921 Sep 3 to Sep 5. Suspended

Fined another £5 by Coy Commander

1921 Oct 15 Posted to F Coy

1922 Jan 17. Discharged on demobilisation of ADRIC

1925 Aug 5. Camerons.—Lt. S. B. Nicholson, late Serv. Bns., to be 2nd Lt.,and relinquishes the rank of Lt.

1928 Jun 12. Camerons—:2nd Lt. S. B. Nicholson ceases to hold a commn.

1940 Dec 30. Flying Officer (on probation) Stewart Boyce NICHOLSON (89726)

Nicholson continued his military service in the Second World War, as a member of the Royal Air Force and the Administrative and Special Duties Branch with British Intelligence in Palestine. He served the latter part of the war in Whitehall’s Cabinet War Rooms, until the end of hostilities in 1945.

1943 Apr 4. Fig. Off. S. B. NICHOLSON (89726) relinquishes his commn. on account of ill-health and retains his rank.

Nicholson relocated to St. Catharines with his wife Catherine and their son Boyd following WWII. For a brief time, he owned a confectionary shop on Louth Street, which specialized in marzipan candy. Following Catherine’s death, Nicholson returned to Scotland , where he remained until his own death. His painting is on display at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre.

1970 Jan 13. Died Glasgow (recorded as Stewart Bryce Nicholson) aged 72

ADRIC