John Nicholas

Admiral John Nicholas, Royal Navy, Retired (17 March, 1865 – 23 June, 1942) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Nicholas was appointed to the training ship Britannia on 15 July, 1878. On 23 July, 1880, he was appointed to the Minotaur in the Channel Squadron. He was rated Midshipman on 22 October. He was appointed to Monarch in the Mediterranean on 27 January, 1882. He attained a Second Class pass in his Seamanship examination with 825 marks on 22 October, 1884, and was appointed Acting Sub-Lieutenant. On 17 December he was appointed to Valorous, and from 3 February, 1885, he was borne on the books of Excellent for study. He attained a Third Class pass in his College examinations with 944 marks (November, 1885), Third Class in his Torpedo examination with 143 (December, 1885), Second Class in Gunnery with 509 (April, 1886), and Second Class in Pilotage with 787 (3 June, 1886). He was appointed to Torpedo Boat 24 on 4 June, 1886, and on 27 August to Minotaur again.

Nicholas was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1888.

Nicholas was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1900.

Captain

He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1906.

In September 1909, he assumed command of the second class protected cruiser Flora, remaining with her for two years.

Nicholas was appointed in command of Jupiter on 25 January, 1912. In June, he assumed command of the first class protected cruiser Argonaut.

He was appointed to command the battleship Hindustan on 20 May, 1913.

Great War

The Vice-Admiral Commanding the Third Battle Squadron, Sir Edward E. Bradford, wrote to the First Sea Lord, Sir Henry B. Jackson, on 9 March, 1916:

I desire to recommend Captain J. Nicholas to your notice now that the Hindustan is to pay off.
He is a very steady and reliable officer of good judgement and has commanded his ship to my entire satisfaction.
I have mentioned his name to Sir John Jellicoe and I think he would be an excellent choice for a [dreadnought] battleship.

On 19 June, 1916, Nicholas was appointed Captain of the Dockyard and Deputy Superintendent and King's Harbour Master at Devonport Royal Dockyard. He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 2 July, 1917, vice Waymouth and was placed on the Retired List the following day.

Retirement

He was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 1 June, 1922, and to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List on 8 November, 1926.

Bibliography

• "Admiral John Nicholas" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 6 July, 1942. Issue 49280, col F, p. 6.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/88.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/42.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by George S. Q. Carr	Captain of H.M.S. Mosquito 14 Dec, 1894 – 1 Jan, 1897	Succeeded by Gerald Oliver
Preceded by William H. Nicholson	Captain of H.M.S. Phoenix 26 Jun, 1903 – 14 Dec, 1904	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by George J. Todd	Captain of H.M.S. Recruit 14 Mar, 1905 – 27 Apr, 1905	Succeeded by Lionel J. G. Anderson
Preceded by Ernest G. W. Davidson	Captain of H.M.S. Surly 27 Apr, 1905 – 9 Jul, 1906	Succeeded by William L. W. Williams-Mason
Preceded by Edward F. B. Charlton	Captain of H.M.S. Hecla 9 Jul, 1906 – 6 Aug, 1908	Succeeded by Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt
Preceded by Rowland Nugent	Captain of H.M.S. Flora 27 Jul, 1909 – 16 Sep, 1911	Succeeded by Charles F. Corbett
Preceded by Charles B. Miller	Captain of H.M.S. Jupiter 25 Jan, 1912 – 26 Jun, 1912	Succeeded by Arthur G. Smith
Preceded by Francis A. L. Andrews	Captain of H.M.S. Argonaut 26 Jun, 1912 – 1 Jan, 1913	Succeeded by Charles Tibbits
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. King George V Oct, 1912	Succeeded by Mark E. F. Kerr
Preceded by Charles P. Beaty-Pownall	Captain of H.M.S. Terrible 1 Jan, 1913 – 20 May, 1913	Succeeded by Spencer A. Hickley
Preceded by Cuthbert G. Chapman	Captain of H.M.S. Hindustan 20 May, 1913 – 19 Jun, 1916	Succeeded by Denis B. Crampton
Preceded by Evelyn R. Le Marchant	Captain of Devonport Dockyard 19 Jun, 1916 – 1 Apr, 1918	Succeeded by William J. S. Alderson