Person

Ralph Nicholson was born on 24 December 1896 in Annfield Plain. His father was John Thomas Nicholson 1963-1951), a colliery stoneman originally from Shotley Bridge. His mother was Hannah Nicholson nee Pace (1868-1940), a coal miner’s daughter from Annfield Plain. Ralph’s parents married in 1896. He was their first child and was followed by a sister called Mary, born in 1901. At both the 1901 and 1911 censuses the family lived at 10 Victoria Terrace, Annfield Plain.

Ralph enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) on 7 October 1915. His civilian occupation was recorded as a fitter and led to his initial rating as air mechanic 2nd class. His service number was F8713. He became acting air mechanic 1st class on 1 January 1918.

On 1 April the Royal Air Force (RAF) was formed when the RNAS and Royal Flying Corps (RFC) were combined into a single service. Ralph was transferred to the RAF with the new service number 208713 ad his equivalent rank of air mechanic 2nd class. He spent all of his war service at Eastchurch, Kent which was a training aerodrome.

After the war Ralph returned to Annfield Plain. He married Mary F Nicholson nee Settrey in 1924. They had a son named George who was born in 1930 and daughter named June, born in 19135. He appears to have moved to Worcester later in his life and he died there in 1990 at the age of 93.

Ralph Nicholson was awarded the British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Kyo

Birth date: 24-Dec-1896

Death date: 1990

Armed force/civilian: Air Force

Residence: 10 Victoria Terrace, Annfield Plain (1901 and 1911 census)

Employment: Fitter (1915 service record)

Family: Parents: John Thomas Nicholson (1863-1951), Hannah Nicholson nee Pace (1868-1940)
Siblings: Mary Nicholson (1901)
Spouse: Mary F Settrey (1899-1986)
Children: George Nicholson (1930-2002), June Nicholson (1935)

Military service:

F8713
Royal Naval Air Service
Air mechanic 2nd class, 7 October 1915
Acting air mechanic 1st class, 1 Jan 918
208713
Royal Air Force
Air mechanic 2nd class, 1 April 1918
HMS Deadalus (Eastchurch)

Medal(s): British War Medal

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham