Charles Alfred Godfrey Nichols DSO, RN
| Born | 1 Oct 1898 |
 | Ranks
Retired: 8 Jan 1951 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Charles Alfred Godfrey Nichols, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Canton (F 97) | A/Capt. | Armed Merchant Cruiser | 12 Feb 1941 | 3 Mar 1942 |
| HMAS Shropshire (83) | Capt. | Heavy cruiser | 25 Sep 1944 | 14 Apr 1946 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Canton (F 97)
21 Feb 1941
Around 1730A/21, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Greenock for Freetown. (1)
5 Mar 1941
Around 1130N/5, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Freetown from Greenock. (2)
1 Apr 1941
Around 0915Q/1, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Bermuda. (3)
2 Apr 1941
During a gale, the RFA tanker War Brahmin (5545 GRT, built 1921), which was alongside HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) at Bermuda broke loose and the two ships bumped into each other. The tanker sustained considarable damage above the waterline. HMS Canton was only lightly damaged. (4)
4 Apr 1941
Around 1230Q/4, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Bermuda for Halifax where she was to land the around 200 military personnel she had on board since leaving Freetown originally bound for the U.K. with convoy SL 68. (3)
6 Apr 1941
Around 1315Q/6, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Halifax from Bermuda. (3)
16 Apr 1941
Around 0815Q/16, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Halifax for New York where she is to refit. (3)
17 Apr 1941
Around 2300R/17, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at New York from Halifax. (3)
19 Apr 1941
HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) is taken in hand for refit at the Bethlehem Shipyard, Brooklyn. (3)
5 May 1941
HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) is docked at the Bethlehem Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York. (5)
6 May 1941
HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) is undocked. (5)
11 Jun 1941
Around 0600Q/11, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN), with her refit completed, departed New York for Chesapeake Bay where she arrived around 0745Q/12. (6)
12 Jun 1941
After having conducted D/G trials at Chesapeak Bay, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN), departed for Bermuda around 1330Q/12. (6)
15 Jun 1941
Around 0600Q/15, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Chesapeake Bay. (6)
16 Jun 1941
During 16/17 June 1941, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) conducted exercises off Bermuda. (6)
22 Jun 1941
Around 1315Q/22, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Bermuda for Freetown. (6)
1 Jul 1941
Around 1400N/1, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Freetown from Bermuda. (7)
3 Jul 1941
Convoy SL 80.
This convoy departed Freetown on 3 July 1941.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Agioi Victores (Greek, 4344 GRT, built 1918), Christine Marie (British, 3895 GRT, built 1919), Dago II (British, 1993 GRT, built 1917), Emmy (Greek, 3895 GRT, built 1914), Empire Lough (British, 2824 GRT, built 1940), Medon (British, 5444 GRT, built 1923), Modasa (British, 9070 GRT, built 1921), Mulbera (British, 9100 GRT, built 1922), Perth (British, 2259 GRT, built 1915), Sansu (British, 5446 GRT, built 1939) and Stad Haarlem (Dutch, 4518 GRT, built 1929).
On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN), destroyer HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN), corvettes HMS Amaranthus (Lt. N.B.J. Stapleton, RNR), HMS Bergamot (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Chapman, RNR), A/S yacht HMS Surprise (Capt.(Retd.) E. Stubbs, RN) and the M/S trawler HMS Canna (T/Lt. G.C.L. Payne, RNVR).
Around 1845N/7, HMS Canton parted company with the convoy after having been relieved by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Esperance Bay (Capt.(ret) G.S. Holden, RN). HMS Canton then proceeded on patrol in the mid-Atlantic.
On 8 July 1941, HMS Highlander parted company with the convoy.
On 9 July 1941, HMS Surprise parted company with the convoy.
On 11 July 1941, HMS Amaranthus, HMS Bergamot and HMS Canna parted company with the convoy.
On 23 July the destroyers HMS Broke (Cdr. W.T. Couchman, OBE, RN), HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rowland, RN), HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and the corvettes HMS Hibiscus (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) and HMS Periwinkle (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR) joined.
On 26 July HMS Verity was detached to Belfast after having sustained serious damage below the waterline due to having collided with HMS Broke. She arrived at Belfast on 27 July.
The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 27 July 1941.
10 Jul 1941 (position 4.03, -34.40)
HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) intercepted the German merchant vessel Hermes (7209 GRT, built 1926), north-west of St. Paul Rocks, in position 04°03'N, 34°40'W. Before the German ship, which identified herself as the Dutch Saparoea (6668 GRT, built 1921) could be boarded she was scuttled by her crew. The German ship had departed Rio de Janeiro on 27 June 1941 bound for France (most likely Bordeaux). (8)
18 Jul 1941
Around 0815N/18, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Freetown from convoy escort duty and patrol. (7)
24 Jul 1941
Around 1800N/24, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN), with 110 German POW's on board, departed Freetown for the U.K. She is escorting the troop transport Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914). The destroyers HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN) and HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN) were also in company.
Around 1800N/26, HMS Wivern parted company to return to Freetown.
Around 0700N/27, HMS Wild Swan parted company to return to Freetown.
Around 1530Z/4, the sloops HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN) and HMIS Jumna (Cdr. W.R. Shewring, RIN) joined.
HMS Canton arrived in the Clyde around 1000B/6. she had parted company with the two sloops and the troopships around 2245A/25. The sloops and the troopship arrived at Liverpool later on 6 August 1941. (7)
7 Aug 1941
Around 1900B/7, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Greenock for Southampton where she is to be taken in hand for alterations which included the fitting of a crane and an aircraft catapult.
Around 1015B/8, near Bishop Rock the escort destroyer HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSC, RN) joined coming from Holyhead which she had departed earlier on the 8th.
Around 1145B/8, HMS Canton arrived at Southampton. HMS Blankney then proceeded to Portsmouth. (7)
5 Oct 1941
With her refit / alterations completed, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) proceeded from Southampton to Spithead. (9)
6 Oct 1941
HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials in Spithead. (9)
7 Oct 1941
HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials in Spithead. (9)
9 Oct 1941
Around 0630A/9, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Cowes Roads for the Clyde. Around 1030A/9, the escort destroyer HMS Blencathra (Cdr. J.H. Ruck-Keene, DSC, RN joined. She parted company around 1555A/9 and proceeded to Dartmouth where she arrived later the same day. As relief escort the escort destroyer HMS Woolston (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN) had joined, coming from Plymouth, on HMS Blencathra parted company.
Early in the afteroon of 10 October 1941, HMS Woolston parted company and proceeded to Belfast.
HMS Canton arrived at Greenock around 2330A/10. (9)
17 Oct 1941
Convoy CT 4.
This convoy departed from U.K. ports on 17 October 1941 and formed up off Oversay the following morning.
The convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Avila Star (British, 14443 GRT, built 1927) and Pasteur (British, 29253 GRT, built 1938).
On forming up the convoy was escorted by the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. H.E. Morse, DSO, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN), destroyers HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN), HMS Beverley (Lt.Cdr. J. Grant, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Badsworth (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, DSC and Bar, OBE, RN).
The destroyers parted company with the convoy on 20 October 1941.
Around 0630N/21, HMS Canton parted company with the convoy to proceed to Freetown where she arrived on 29 October.
Around 0720N/21, HMS Indomitable parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bermuda where she arrived on 26 October.
The Avila Star arrived independently at Trinidad on 31 October 1941 and the Pasteur arrived independently at Halifax on 25 October.
29 Oct 1941
Around 1100N/29, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Freetown. (9)
31 Oct 1941
Around 1730N/31, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Freetown to patrol in the mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic. (9)
13 Nov 1941
Around 1230N/13, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) returned to Freetown from patrol. Before entering harbour gunnery exercises were carried out. (10)
18 Nov 1941
Around 1945N/18, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Freetown to patrol in the mid-Atlantic. (11)
2 Dec 1941
Around 1545N/2, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (12)
6 Dec 1941
Around 1630N/6, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Freetown for patrol. She was ordered to patrol mid-Atlantic / South Atlantic. (13)
15 Dec 1941
Around 0745Z/15, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (12)
22 Dec 1941
Around 1800Z/22, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Freetown for patrol. She was ordered to patrol mid-Atlantic. (13)
5 Jan 1942
Around 1130P/5, HMS Canton (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Pernambuco from patrol. (14)
6 Jan 1942
Around 0815P/6, HMS Canton (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Pernambuco to resume her patrol. (14)
18 Jan 1942
Around 1130Z/18, HMS Canton (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) and HMS Pretoria Castle (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.V. Hemming, RN) both arrived at Freetown from patrol. (15)
24 Jan 1942
Around 1200Z/24, HMS Canton (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Freetown for patrol. She was ordered to patrol mid-Atlantic. (14)
9 Feb 1942
Around 1515Z/9, HMS Canton (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (16)
12 Feb 1942
Around 0815Z/12, the armed merchant cruisers HMS California (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and HMS Canton (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) departed Freetown to patrol in the mid-Atlantic. (16)
2 Mar 1942
Around 0900Z/2, HMS Canton (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (17)
Heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (83)
27 Sep 1944
0700I/27, Task Force 75, made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN), light cruisers USS Phoenix (T/Capt. J.H. Duncan, USN, flying the flag of COMCRUDIV 15, Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN), USS Nashville (T/Capt. C.E. Coney, USN), USS Boise (Capt. J.S. Roberts, USN) and the destroyers USS Hutchins (T/Cdr. C.B. Laning, USN, with COMDESRON 24, T/Capt. K.M. McManes, USN, on board), USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN), USS Beale (T/Cdr. D.M. Coffee, USN), USS Daly (T/Cdr. R.G. Visser, USN), USS Abner Read (T/Cdr. T.B. Hutchins, 3rd, USN, with COMDESDIV 48, T/Capt. J.B. McLean, USN), USS Bush (T/Cdr. R.E. Westholm, USN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN), USS Mullany (T/Cdr. A.O. Momm, USN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN) and HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN) arrived at Mios Woendi from operations in the Morotai area. (18)
2 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN), USS Bush (T/Cdr. R.E. Westholm, USN) and USS Mullany (T/Cdr. A.O. Momm, USN) conducted exercises off Manus. (19)
11 Oct 1944
1700I/11, Task Forces 74 and 75, made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN), the light cruisers USS Phoenix (T/Capt. J.H. Duncan, USN, flying the flag of COMCRUDIV 15, Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN), USS Nashville (T/Capt. C.E. Coney, USN), USS Boise (Capt. J.S. Roberts, USN) and the destroyers USS Hutchins (T/Cdr. C.B. Laning, USN, with COMDESRON 24, T/Capt. K.M. McManes, USN, on board), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN) and HMAS Warramunga (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Alliston, DSC, RN) departed Seeadler Harbour, Manus for Humboldt Bay.
Most of the destroyers of Task Forces 74 and 75 had been delayed in sailing. They departed later to overtake and join at sea which they did in the following order; USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN), USS Mullany (T/Cdr. A.O. Momm, USN) and USS Bush (T/Cdr. R.E. Westholm, USN) joined around 1830I/11. USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN) joined around 2115I/11. USS Daly (T/Cdr. R.G. Visser, USN) joined around 2200I/11. USS Beale (T/Cdr. D.M. Coffee, USN) joined around 0045I/12. USS Killen (T/Cdr. H.G. Corey, USN) and finally USS Abner Read (T/Cdr. A.M. Purdy, USN, with COMDESDIV 48, T/Capt. J.B. McLean, USN) joined around 0800I/12.
Task Forces 74 and 75 arrived at Humboldt Bay around 1220I/12. (19)
Sources
- ADM 53/113792
- ADM 53/113793
- ADM 53/113794
- ADM 53/113794 + ADM 199/2551
- ADM 53/113795
- ADM 53/113796
- ADM 53/113797
- ADM 53/113797 + ADM 199/395
- ADM 53/113800
- ADM 53/113801
- ADM 53/113801 + ADM 199/395
- ADM 53/113802
- ADM 53/113802 + ADM 199/395
- ADM 53/115481
- ADM 53/115481 + ADM 53/116456
- ADM 53/115482
- ADM 53/115483
- War diary of COMCRUDIV 15 for September 1944
- War diary of COMCRUDIV 15 for October 1944
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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