Aaron to Nichols A Deed Done
Gunner Ernest Victor Nichols (Aaron) 8th London Regiment & Royal Artillery
1914-15 Star. 1914-18 British War Medal. Victory Medal. Defence Medal. Imperial Service Medal. Territorial Force War Medal. Efficiency Medal 'Territorial'.
The Man Ernest Victor Aaron was born on 31st October 1887 in West Ham, London, son of Aaaron Aaron, a Dock Clerk and Elizabeth, whose maiden name was Nichols. He was one of eight children, Edith E born in 1885, Edgar Albert born in 1890, Joseph George born in 1892, Ada Dorothy, born in 1895, William Arthur born in 1898 and Herbert Cyril born in 1900. There was another sibling who died very young. At the time of the 1891 census Ernest was living with his family at 16 Field Street, West Ham and 10 years later had moved to 53 Thorpe Road, Leytonstone in East London. On 29th April 1907 aged 20 Ernest was appointed without competition as an Assistant Postman in the London Postal Region and three years later in 1909 became a porter. By the time of the 1911 census Ernest was still living at the same address with his family, although his Father Aaron had sadly died in 1901 aged only 42. Ernest enlisted into the Territorial Army in the 8th London Regiment as a Private with service number 702, which was later changed to 370059. During the first quarter of 1915 Ernest married Eunice Marie Lipscombe in Watford, they had two children, Eunice Minnie Blanche born in 1916 and Jean Gabrielle, born in 1920. Ernest was called up at the outbreak of World War I into the 8th London Regiment, entering France on 18th March 1915 where he served for the duration of the war. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals and in Army Order 380 of 1919 the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal. Following the war Ernest resumed his career in the Post Office and in July 1920 was appointed as a Sorter. In 1921 aged 34 he was living at 41 Godwin Road, Forest Gate and by a deed poll dated 1st April 1921 changed his surname from Aaron to that of his Mothers maiden name Nichols, for reasons unknown, but possibly due to anti Jewish sentiment brewing in Europe. Ernest re-enlisted in the Territorial Army as a Gunner service number 6595541 in the Royal Artillery and was subsequently awarded the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’; leaving the TA before World War II but subsequently serving in one of the organisations that qualified him for the Defence Medal. Ernest retired from the Post Office in 1947 aged 60 and in the London Gazette of 23rd January 1948 was awarded the Imperial Service Medal. At the time of his retirement Ernest was living at 13 Brantwood Gardens, Woodford Avenue in Ilford. On 25th March 1948 Ernest and Eunice sailed from the Port of London to Sydney, Australia aboard the P&O Liner Socotra for six months; returning to Liverpool on 29th September via Wellington, New Zealand and aboard the Shaw, Savill & Albion Company liner Arawa. Eunice died during the first quarter of 1970 and Ernest on 13th October aged 82, and was living at 13 Lacey Drive, Old Coulston, Surrey.
The Story The interesting group of medals awarded to Ernest Victor Aaron, later Nichols were acquired from E-Bay and following some negotiation with the vendor. They were watched on e-bay but suddenly withdrawn from sale. Enquiries with the vendor revealed that a private deal was being considered, but this had fallen through. After a weekend of e-mail discussion a deal was struck and the medals received. Sadly it was established that the World War One trio to Ernest were missing, this was likely as his name was Aaron at that time, rather than Nichols on later medals, although the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal was named Aaron. It is possible they had at some time been separated without realising they were connected.
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As usual research on Ancestry.UK revealed a wealth of information allowing a brief biography to be produced, which whilst not extensive does at least give an idea of the type of man Ernest Nichols was. On a visit to London in March 2013, Ernest’s will was extracted, giving the names of his two daughters which then allowed further checks on Ancestry.UK, revealing their Mother’s maiden name, which in turn meant Ernest’s wedding details could be traced, which hitherto had not been possible, due to a spelling error on the original marriage certificate! Aaron was spelt Arron. A small step, but an important one in adding a little moredetail to his biography. Clearly it would also be a great achievement to re-unit the missing trio with his other medals. The group as pictured contains a copy trio and thus is a broken group.
Medal Details:
- 1914-15 Star: Copy
- 1914-18 British War Medal: Copy
- Victory Medal: Copy
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- Imperial Service Medal: ERNEST VICTOR NICHOLS
- Territorial Force Efficiency Medal: 370059 PTE. E.V.AARON. 8/LOND R
- Efficiency Medal: 6595541 GNR.E.V.NICHOLS. R.A.
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Page last updated 1 Mar 17