[ London Gazette, 30 July 1940 ], River Scheldt, Belgium, 21 May 1940, Lance-Corporal Harry Nicholls, 3rd Bn, Grenadier Guards.

On the 21st May 1940, Lance Corporal Nicholls was commanding a section in the right-forward platoon of his company when the company was ordered to counter-attack.

At the very start of the advance he was wounded in the arm by shrapnel, but continued to lead his section forward; as the company came over a small ridge, the enemy opened heavy machine-gun fire at close range. Lance Corporal Nicholls, realising the danger to the company, immediately seized a Bren gun and dashed forward towards the machine-guns, firing from the hip. He succeeded in silencing first one machine-gun and then two other machine-guns, in spite of being again severely wounded. Lance-Corporal Nicholls then went on up to a higher piece of ground and engaged the German infantry massed behind, causing many casualties, and continuing to fire until he had no more ammunition left. He was wounded at least four times in all, but absolutely refused to give in.

There is no doubt that his gallant action was instrumental in enabling his company to reach its objective, and in causing the enemy to fall back across the River Scheldt. Lance Corporal Nicholls has since been reported to have been killed in action.

Harry Nicholls was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on the 22nd June 1945.

Lance Corporal Harry Nicholls was reported as being killed in action but in fact was taken prisoner after running out of ammunition. Nicholls was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously as it was presumed he had died. Harry Nicholls was informed of his award of the Victoria Cross by the Commandant of Stalag XXA Prisoner of War Camp and was invested with his VC following his repatriation at the end of hostilities in 1945.

Medal entitlement of Corporal Harry Nicholls - 3rd Bn, Grenadier Guards

• Victoria Cross
• 1939-45 Star
• Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )
• War Medal ( 1939-45 )
• Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )