Donation from the Nichols family to the Gold Beach Museum
We were delighted to welcome the Nichols family : daughter, grandson, and great-grandson of Major W. N. Nichols, Company Commander of the 2nd Hertfordshire Regiment (TA) during the D-Day landings.
The regiment remained for several months in Ver-sur-Mer, forming the core of No. 9 Beach Group, a logistical unit specifically created to support the operations of D-Day.
On this occasion, the Nichols family generously donated the set of “swagger sticks” owned by Major W. N. Nichols. These are distinctive command canes carried by British Army officers.
The parade stick is a particularly rare piece, as very few examples bear the insignia of The Hertfordshire Infantry Regiment. This Territorial Army unit had formed two battalions during the Second World War: the 2nd Battalion, which took part in operations in Normandy from 6 June 1944 before being withdrawn at the end of July and its personnel transferred to other units, and the 1st Battalion, which fought in Italy from the summer of 1943.
We will be sharing more information about Major W. N. Nichols soon, once these items are displayed in the museum showcases.
Le 22 april 2026
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