Vaux Morisset Nicholson (18 November 1917 – 9 February 1976) was an Australian international rugby union player.
| Full name | Vaux Morisset Nicholson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 18 November 1917 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Beaudesert, QLD, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 9 February 1976 (aged 58) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | near Gatton, QLD, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 176 cm (5 ft 9 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 76 kg (168 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | The Southport School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Queensland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Fred Nicholson (father) Frank Nicholson (uncle) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Barrister / Judge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Biography
editNicholson was the son of Wallabies winger Fred Nicholson and nephew of national captain Frank Nicholson. Raised in the Queensland town of Beaudesert, where his father was a solicitor, Nicholson was educated at The Southport School and the University of Queensland. He played rugby for the university while pursuing a degree in law.[1][2]
A wing three-quarter, Nicholson scored a try on his Queensland debut in 1938, against New South Wales in Sydney. He crossed for three tries against the same opponent a year later to put himself in contention for the ill-fated 1939–40 Wallabies tour and after performing well in the trials was one of four specialist wingers selected. Two days after the team arrived in Southampton, Britain declared war on Nazi Germany and the tour was consequently called off.[1][3]
Nicholson served in the AIF during the war and reached the rank of lieutenant. He was captured by the Japanese in Malaya and sent to a Borneo prison of war camp near Sandukan, from which he returned in a poor condition.[4][5]
After a brief return to rugby, Nicholson was forced to give the sport up due to his physical state and concentrated on studies, completing his law degree in 1949. He became a barrister and was later a District Court Judge.[1]
Nicholson died in a car accident in 1976 while travelling on the Warrego Highway outside Gatton.[1][6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Vaux Morisset Nicholson". classicwallabies.com.au.
- ^ "Vaux Nicholson Passes Final Exam". The Beaudesert Times. 17 December 1948. p. 1 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Nicholson To Play For University". The Telegraph. 26 April 1946. p. 8 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "RU Star Prisoner Of War". The Telegraph. 26 March 1943. p. 6 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Vaux Nicholson Interviewed". The Beaudesert Times. 21 September 1945. p. 4 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Judge Vaux Nicholson - Soldier, Sportsman, Barrister, Judge". Hearsay. 3 March 2013.