C.G.G. Nicholson | MAJOR A. A. GORDON SOCIETY

CAMERON GORDON GRAHAM NICHOLSON

Cameron Nicholson was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1915 and served during the First World War together with his father in the Royal Artillery. Cameron later served in 1917 with the Royal Horse Artillery in France, where he was awarded the Military Cross and Bar in 1918. He commanded a regiment in India, Iraq, Palestine and Egypt till 1927. Afterwards, he became an instructor at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, from 1927 to 1930 and later attended Staff College, where he served as an instructor from 1938 to 1939.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Bar during the Second World War. At the same time, he was appointed Commander of Support Group, 42 Armoured Division in 1941 and then second-in-command of the 6th Armoured Division in 1942. In 1943 he became Brigadier General Staff for the 1st Army. In February 1943, he was an opponent of the German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in the Battle of the Kasserine Pass, where he commanded the units of the British First Army in Tunisia. Brigadier Cameron Nicholson was an effective combat leader who kept his remaining forces steady under relentless German attacks and enabled British Forces to hold the vital road leading into the Kasserine Pass against the German 10th Panzer Division under Rommel's direct command.

In 1944 he became a General Officer, Commanding the 44th Indian Armoured Division and was sent to the Burma campaign. Here he was the commanding officer who received the surrender of

Captain Tomeichi Okazaki in 1946 while serving in the 2nd Division.

In 1948 he took up command in West Africa. Three years later, he was made General Officer for Western Command and became commander in chief of the Middle East Land Forces in 1953. He retired from the army in 1956 and became governor of Royal Hospital Chelsea until 1961.

Cameron died on 7 July 1979.

THE LAST KNOWN OWNER OF THE RUSSIAN CIGARETTE CASE OF MAJOR A. A. GORDON

Cameron Gordon Graham is the last known owner of Major Gordon's presented cigarette case from Tzar Nicolas II of Russia. The cigarette case is described in Major Gordon's book 'Culled from a Diary' as follows:

" A twenty-two-carat gold-covered case in radiating dark blue Imperial enamel, and bearing on the side the Russian Arms in diamonds, many the size of peas."

It is unknown if the Nicholson family still holds the case. If you have any idea of its whereabouts, please get in contact!

GORDON FAMILY TREE

Peter of Ballee William of Ballyskeagh 1697 - ?

x x

Mary Boak Mary Ross

Aaron Gordon William Gordon (1738 - 1831) Margaret Gordon Mary Gordon

Margaret Boak (1744 - 14/11/1837)

Elizabeth(... - 1839) Aaron(1781 - 8/10/1844) Robert of Stragollen (1774- 7/9/1850) William(..- ./1/1837) Mary

X 19/04/1809

Ellen Eagleson (1786 - 21/09/1860)

George (22/6/1824 - 4/6/1896) William(15/5/1812 - 25/2/1814) Aaron (17/5/1814 - 1860) Matilda An (1/11/1817 - 1863) William E. (4/6/1831-15/1/1873) Elizabeth Robert (4/6/1823 - 23/7/1823) Margaret (5/5/1810 - 1816) Ellen (1827 - 1899) Robert (1830 - 1883)

X (1)Marion Hay Forbes

Robert (1855-1918) X (2) Emelia M. Dick

Marion Elizabeth Versfeld

William Eagleson Archibald Alexander Robert Aaron Emily Mackenzie Helen Isabelle

George Ronald Eagleson x x x x Margaret Katherine Blair Lizzie Maude Smith Graham H. W. Nicholson

Vera Newcomb

Cyriel Vivian Eagleson Colin Mackenzie Blair William "Bill" Hyde Eagleson Archibald G. R. Edmund Robert Adam Cameron Gordon Graham (Nicholson)