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RAMC profile of:
William Henry Snyder NICKERSON (VC) M.B.
 
 


Place or Date
of Birth:
Dorchester, New Brunswick, Canada on 27th March 1875

Service Number:

TF Number:

Rank: Major General

Unit: 6th Cavalry Field Ambulance

Attached To:

Enlistment Location:

Also Served: Various - see below

Outcome: Continued to serve after the war

Date Died: 10th April 1954
Age Died: 79

Where Buried and/or Commemorated:

Awards: MiDx6

Gazette Reference: 17/2/1915, 1/1/1916, 6/12/1916, 28/11/1917, 30/1/1919, 14/1/1921
 


Other Information:

William was born in Canada to an English family, who returned to England when William was a child. He was educated at Portsmouth Grammar School, at Manchester Grammar School, and at Manchester University, graduating M.B., B.S. in 1898. He joined the R.A.M.C. as a lieutenant on 27th July 1998. He served throughout the South African War, 1899-1902 attached as Medical Officer to the Mounted Infantry. On 20th April 1900 he saved the life of a soldier of the Worcester Regiment - his actions seen worthy of being awarded the Victoria Cross. The citation read:- “At Wakkerstroom, on the evening of the 20th April, 1900, during the advance of the Infantry to support the Mounted Troops, Lieutenant Nickerson went, in the most gallant manner, under a heavy rifle and shell fire, to attend a wounded man, dressed his wounds, and remained with him till he had him conveyed to a place of safety.” [LG 12/2/1901]. On 29th November 1900 he was promoted to the rank of Captain, then on 16th April 1901 was Mentioned in Despatches. For his services he received the Queen’s South African Medal with 3 clasps, and the King’s South African Medal with 2 clasps. From 1902 to 1904, he served in Egypt, then in 1905 became a Specialist in Bacteriology. He then went onto serve in Sierra Leone, from 1905 to 1906. In 1907 he gained a diploma in public health [DPH] He was promoted to Major on 28th July 1909, then served in India from 1911 to 1914. On 11th September 1914, whilst acting as D.A.D.M.S. to the D.D.L.S. Eastern Command, he received orders to proceed to Ludgershall to take command of No 6 Cavalry Field Ambulance for arrival with the Expeditionary Force. He entered the war in France, with the unit, on 8th October 1914. William was the Commanding Officer of 6th Cavalry Field Ambulance up until 25th August 1915, when he received orders to proceed to England forthwith and report for duty to the War Office. He handed over command of the unit to Maj G W G Hughes, R.A.M.C. and left at 12.00 noon. After reporting to the War Officer, he was told that he was for charge of a casualty clearing station after leave of absence until 1st september 1915. William served in Salonica from 1915 to 1919. He gained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 1st March 1915, and served under the rank of temporary Colonel from 20th July 1916 to 27th October 1919. From 1916 to 1918, he served as Assistant Director of Medical Services, at Headquarters, EEF and Salonica, and from 1918 to 1919 as Deputy Director of Medical Services, Salonica. During this time on 14th January 1916 he was awarded Companion Order of St Michael & St George, and became Brevet Colonel on 3rd June 1918. In 1919 he served as Deputy Director of Medical Services, Turkey-Salonica-Black Sea. He was awarded the Greek Medal for Military Merit on 26th November 1919, and on 12th December 1919 was appointed Companion Order of the Bath. From 1921 to 1922 he served in Gibraltar, gaining the rank of Colonel on 26th December 1921. He then went to Egypt from 1922 to 1925, gaining the rank of Major General on 26th March 1925. From 1925 to 1929 he served as Deputy Director of Medical Services to HQ Eastern Command. On 26th March 1929, he semi-retired on half pay. From 1929 to 1933 served as Director of Medical Service in India, and was appointed Colonel Commandant in 1933. He retired on full pay on 2nd September 1933, and ceased to be on the Roll of Officers from 27th March 1942. He died at Kintyre, Argyllshire. He was the son of the Rev. F Nickerson, Chaplain to the Forces, and Catherine Nickerson (Nee Snyder).


 
 
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