Admiral Stuart Nicholson, C.B., M.V.O., D.L., Royal Navy (11 October, 1865 – 10 September, 1936) was an officer of the Royal Navy.
He was educated at the Royal Naval School and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with seniority of 11 April, 1885.
Nicholson participated in the manoeuvres of July, 1888 in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 79.
For his services in Benin, he was specially promoted to the rank of Commander on 25 May, 1897.
Nicholson was promoted to the rank of Captain on 26 June, 1902.
On 23 March, 1906, he started a one year stint as Captain of the second class protected cruiser Dido.
On 5 March, 1907, he was relieved in Dido by Drury St. Aubyn Wake and appointed in command of the armoured cruiser Natal.
Following King Edward VII's visit to Russia, Nicholson was appointed a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.) on 10 June, 1908.
He was appointed in command of H.M.S. Exmouth on 27 March, 1911.
Nicholson was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 30 July, 1912, vice Tate.
Nicholson succeeded Rear-Admiral Charles H. Dundas of Dundas as Rear-Admiral in the Home Fleets at the Nore on 5 December, 1913. His flag was hoisted in the Russell, of the Sixth Battle Squadron.
Confusingly, Nicholson's Service Record and the contemporary Pink Lists differ over his position in the first months of the First World War. In his service record, it is implied that he commanded the Sixth Battle Squadron from the mobilisation of the Fleet at the beginning of August, 1914, which is supported by an Admiralty ledger detailing senior officers of fleets and squadrons. In the September and October Pink Lists, he is listed as an additional Rear-Admiral in the Third Battle Squadron.
Nicholson was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 1 January, 1916.
On 1 May, 1916, he was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding the East Coast of England. He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 27 September, 1917, vice Waymouth. He struck his flag on 15 July, 1918, and was appointed to President for Special Service that day, being discharged on 29 July.
Nicholson was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 24 November, 1920, and was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 25 November.
The photograph shows him in the trenches near Cape Helles.