Cemetery: ANTRIM, John NICHOLSON'S Monument in the Parish at Lisburn

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Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives
Antrim Index
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Contributed by C.Hunt & Vicki Strickland

JOHN NICHOLSON'S MONUMENT IN THE PARISH CHURCH AT LISBURN, CO. ANTRIM

REPORTS FROM COUNTIES - COUNTY ANTRIM
[A work by J.H. Foley, R.A.]

'It was erected in 1862 by his mother, the inscription is by his friend,
Sir Herbert Edwardes.

'On the upper part of this memorial tablet, carved in clear relief on the
white marble, is a scene which represents the storming of the breach of the
Kashmere Bastion (Delhi). Beneath the carved work runs the following inscription' :-

"The grave of Brigadier General NICHOLSON, C.B. is beneath the fortress which
he died to take. This monument is erected by his mother to keep alive his
memory and example amongst his countrymen. Comrades who loved and mourn him
add the story of his life -

"He entered the Army of the H.E.I.C. in 1839 and served in four great wars
Afghanistan 1841-42. Sutlege - 1845-46. Punjab - 1848-49. India - 1857. In
the first he was an ensign, in the last a Brigadier General and Companion of
the Bath, in all a hero.

"Rare gifts had marked him for great things in peace and war. He had an iron
mind and frame, a terrible courage an indomitable will. His form seemed made
for an army to behold, his heart, to meet the crisis of an empire; yet was he
gentle exceedingly, most loving, most kind. In all he thought and did unselfish,
earnest, plain and true; indeed a most noble man. In Public affairs he was the
pupil of the great and good Sir Henry Lawrence, and worthy of his master. Few
took a greater share in either the conquest or government of the Punjaub, perhaps
none so great in both. Soldier and civilian he was a tower of strength, the type
of the conquering race, most fitly in the great siege of Delhi he led the first
column of attack, and carried the main breach, Dealing the death blow to the
greatest danger that ever threatened British India, most mournfully most gloriously,
in the moment of Victory he fell mortally wounded on the 14th, and died on the
23rd of September 1857 age only 34."

See "The Illustrated London News" of May 10th, 1862, and also the "Life of John
Nicholson," Trotter, 1898.

He is thus described:-'A man of ardent energy, lofty aspirations, indomitable will,
unswerving perseverance, unfaltering coolness, unflagging zeal. I have never seen
his equal in field or council. He possessed courage of the highest order, decision,
and good judgment.

'How grand, how glorious a piece of handiwork he was, so undaunted, so noble,so good,
so stern to evil, so single-minded, so generous, so heroic, yet so modest. I never
knew another like him. NICHOLSON was the soul of truth. 'Foremost in all brave counsels,
in all glorious audacity, in all that marked a true soldier, his noble nature shone
brighter and brighter through every cloud.'How proud must his mother feel that God gave
her such a son.'

We feel we need offer no apology for recording in our pages the epitaph and description
of such a noble man and wise and valiant soldier. Ireland may well be proud of such a son.

Source:   Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials ofthe
Dead in Ireland, Vol.5. FHL# 1279252