Bertram Nicholson CMG, CBE, DSO, MC

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Companion of The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) Neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; 
Commander of the Most Excellent Order 
of the British Empire (CBE) Neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; 
Distinguished Service Order (DSO) (VRI); 
Military Cross (Geo. V), unnamed as issued; 
QSA, 6 bars CC, Tug H, OFS, RoL, Tvl, L Nek: 811 Tpr. B. Nicholson. Natal Carbnrs; 
KSA, 2 bars SA'01, SA'02: Lieut. B. Nicholson. Imp. L.H.; 
1914-15 Star: Lt. B. Nicholson 5th M.R.; BWM & AVM (Bil) Capt B. Nicholson; 
WM & ASM: 223436 B. Nicholson. 

Bertram Nicholson CMG, CBE, DSO, MC, fondly known as “Nicholson of Swaziland”, was born in Richmond, Natal, in 1875. He was the youngest son of William and Fanny Nicholson who came out to South Africa as Byrne settlers.

 

After matriculating at Maritzburg College in 1893 Bertram joined the Natal Civil Service in January 1894, gaining valuable administrative experience in the Magistrates' Court in Durban from 1896 to 1899. 

 

Bertram served throughout the Boer War, initially with Murray’s Horse and then with the Natal Carbineers from 22 November 1899 to 1 October 1900.

 

He was mentioned in an Addendum to Lord Roberts’ Despatch of 2 April 1901 that was belatedly published in the LG of 4 December 1903 (p8019) for “meritorious services performed” while serving Trooper with the Natal Carbineers. 

On 2 October 1900 he transferred to the Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment and continued to serve with them until 30 December 1900.

 

The following day he re-enlisted in the Imperial Light Horse and served with them as a commissioned officer up to the end of the war, earning a further mention from Kitchener which was noted in London Gazette of 18 July 1902 (p4595) as follows: 

“Lieutenant B. Nicholson, Imperial Light Horse: With 3 men captured 18 Boers on 15th April 1902 at Yserspruit, after a long chase”. 

 

It is most probably this act which was the reason for the subsequent award of the DSO. (LG 31 October 1902)

 

After the Boer War, Bertram joined the Swaziland Administration. He was initially appointed as the Assistant Commissioner at Hlatikulu.

 

Further appointments followed as Resident Magistrate, Member of the Special Court, and finally as Resident Commissioner.

 

Upon the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914, he commanded the Swaziland Troop of the Imperial Light Horse, and served in both the Rebellion and in German South West Africa.

 

He was awarded the Military Cross, as published in the UDF General Order 2691: Rewards for War Services - German 
South-West African Campaign, dated 24 Dec 1918. 

The Recommendation for the award of his Military Cross was listed under “Headquarters Staff” as follows:

 

“Lieut (Temp Captain) Bertram Nicholson, 5th Mounted Rifles (Imperial Light Horse) : 
In charge of all Intelligence work which he supervised and directed with conspicuous energy and ability and much skill.” 

 

On his return to Swaziland after demobilisation, he was appointed Deputy Resident Commissioner and Government Secretary and continued to serve as a member of the Special Court with Mr JS Marwick, OBE.

 

He was finally appointed Resident Commissioner of Swaziland, and thereafter retired on pension in 1931. For his outstanding work in Swaziland, he received the CBE in 1924 (Birthday Honours List, LG 3 June 1924) and the CMG In 1932 (Birthday Honours List, LG 3 June 1932).

 

Both awards (CMG and CBE) were for his services as Deputy Resident Commissioner and Government Secretary in Swaziland. 

 

During WWII, he volunteered for service once again was given command of the 4th Battalion Native Military Guards and retired with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1942. He died in Bremersdorp at the age of 69 in 1944. 

Quite apart from his meritorious record of service in both peace and war, he found time to be a very fine cricketer, a noted hunter of big game and a most ardent fisherman. He did much in the way of trout and black bass acclimatisation in and beyond Swaziland.

 

He was also very keen on the conservation of the environment and of wildlife. After his death and at his request, Maritzburg College was presented with a very fine pair of elephant tusks from his own collection and a German Shield, which he took from a railway engine at the battle of Gibeon in South West Africa. The tusks and shield, suitably mounted, serve to this day to remind boys of a distinguished Old Collegian.