William Nicholas (officer)

William Nicholas
From a drawing by B. Pym engraved by E. Scriven
Born	(1785-12-12)12 December 1785 Ashton Keynes, Wiltshire, England
Died	14 April 1812(1812-04-14) (aged 26) Badajoz, Spain
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service	British Army Royal Engineers
Years of service	1801–1812
Rank	Bvt. Major
Battles / wars	War of the Third Coalition Invasion of Naples Battle of Maida Anglo-Turkish War Alexandria expedition (WIA) Peninsular War Battle of Alcanitz Siege of Cadiz Battle of Barossa Third Siege of Badajos (DOW)

William Nicholas (12 December 1785 – 14 April 1812) was an English officer and military engineer in the British Army. From 1806 to 1812, he was engaged in eleven sieges and battles in Italy, Egypt, and Spain, and died of wounds.^[1]

William, third son of Robert Nicholas, by Charlotte, née Frankland, was born at Ashton Keynes, Wiltshire, in 1785. Educated at a private school at Hackney, and admitted to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, in 1799, he obtained a commission in the Royal Engineers in 1801, became first lieutenant in 1802, and worked on the naval defences at Dover until 1805.

In 1806, he followed the expedition to Sicily, fought at Maida, took part in the capture of Scylla, and was promoted second captain. In 1807, in the Egyptian campaign, he distinguished himself at Rosetta by assisting to carry the wounded General Meade to safety. In 1808, he took part in the defence of Scylla, and was mentioned in despatches. He also made a report on the western country of Sicily which was highly approved. In 1809, he was sent on a mission to the Spanish army in Spain, and served with General Blake's army at Alcanitz. He went to England at the end of 1809 to regain his health.

In 1810, he was sent to Cadiz as second engineer officer of the defence, and on the death of Major Lefebure at Matagorda he succeeded to the command of the Engineers at Cadiz. He distinguished himself at Barrosa in 1811, and was publicly thanked on the field by Sir Thomas Graham. In 1812, at Badajoz, he made considerable efforts to move men into the Santa Maria breach. Leading at least two charges, he was four times wounded. He was shot again leading a third charge and had to be dragged from the field to receive treatment. He died eight days later, with the brevet rank of major conferred upon him.