Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

A public spirited man with an opened handed generosity, Colonel Charles Edward Nicholson VD, soldier, politician, citizen and grazier played a prominent role in the Maitland district community for over 40 years during the 1890s and the early part of the 20th century.

The son of William Nicholson, a grazier who held extensive property interests at Aberglassyn just north of Maitland, New South Wales and his wife Mary Ann Ryan, Charles Nicholson was born at West Maitland in 1853. Educated by the Reverend Doctor D. Boyd at his Grammar School at West Maitland, he trained as a law clerk with well known Maitland solicitor, William Briggs. Leaving the law in 1876, he moved to the postal service in Newcastle, rising to the position of Postmaster in the early 1880s.

Transferring to the Lands Department, he became the Crown Land agent at Coonabarabran and was responsible for much of the management of land selection in the north west of NSW from 1882 to 1888. In 1883 he married Ellen Donald in Sydney - they were to have three daughters.

After resigning from the Lands Department, Charles Nicholson moved back to Maitland due to his father's failing health to manage the family's grazing operations. In July 1888 he joined the NSW Lancers - an association that was to have a significant influence on the rest of his life. Commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1891, he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1895. 

During the 1890s he became prominent in local politics, ultimately serving four terms on West Maitland Borough Council and also as a district councillor. He would also take up the role of returning officer for the Maitland state electorate, a position he held for 18 years until standing for election to the NSW parliament.

At the turn of the century Lieutenant Nicholson made himself available for service in the South African War, being appointed Captain of the last contingent of NSW Lancer reinforcements to be sent to the conflict. Numbering forty and known as the 'Forty Thieves', the contingent served in South Africa from March to November 1901. Captain Nicholson was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with five clasps (Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johnannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast) for his service.

After returning from South Africa he continued his involvement with the Militia, rising to Major in 1908 and was awarded the Volunteers Officers Decoration in 1911. Following his retirement from the Militia in 1914 he was granted the rank of Honorary Lieutenant Colonel.

In October 1911 he entered state politics, being elected to the NSW Parlaiment as the Member for Maitland, with a large majority. Re-elected twice, he was to be a Member of the Legislative Assembly for nine years. 

With the outbreak of the Great War, at 62 years of age, he again offered his services and was commisioned as Lieutenant Colonel in the AIF in 1915 for sea transport services. For the next 18 months he was in charge of three return journeys to the Middle East and England. He was discharged from the AIF in April 1917.

Apart from his military and political service, Charles Nicholson was also involved in various community activities, including serving as President of Maitland Hospital board in the 1920s. Ironically, in April 1923 whilst walking home he was knocked down at the intersection of High and Elgin Streets, Maitland by a motor car occupied by two medical practitioners, Drs King and Stewart. He suffered a broken left leg and shock and took several months to fully recover.

On 22 June 1924, Colonel Nicholson was afforded the honour of unveiling the soldiers' monument at Tenambit Public School, on the heights in the eastern suburbs of Maitland. During his address he spoke in "glowing terms of our brave soldiers who took part in the Great War and their successful efforts in keeping the old flag flying".

During September 1931 he came down with bronchitis and was hospitalised at Cintra Private Hospital in West Maitland. His conditioned deteriorated and he died on 23 September. Sadly his wife, Ellen, was also seriously ill in hospital at this time. She would die five days later.

Colonel Nicholson's funeral was held at St Mary's Church, West Maitland, followed by interment in the Church of England portion of the Campbells Hill Cemetery, with the Reverend C.W.J. Gumbley officiating.