Nicholson Memorial, Market Square, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, BT28 1AG

The Nicholson Memorial is a free-standing bronze figurative statue located in the centre of Market Square in Lisburn, facing west. Sculpted by F.W. Pomeroy and erected in 1922, it commemorates Brigadier General John Nicholson, a Lisburn-born soldier who died leading the assault on Delhi during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

The life-sized cast bronze statue depicts Nicholson in military uniform with his right arm raised, holding a sword in one hand and a pistol in the other. It stands on a square-plan granite ashlar plinth with cornice and plinth mouldings. Bronze relief plaques are set into the granite framework on the north and south elevations, depicting battle scenes. The western face bears a rectangular bronze plaque reading: "To, Brigadier General, John Nicholson, who led the assault at Delhi on, 23 September 1857 and fell in the, hour of victory mortally wounded, at the age of 35". The eastern plaque reads: "This monument is the gift of, Henry Musgrave Esq., of this town to the memory of, a great Ulster Soldier who was, born in Lisburn 1822". The monument also commemorates two Victoria Cross recipients: William James Lendrim (awarded in 1855) and Samuel Hill (awarded in 1857).

Nicholson was born in Dublin on 11 December 1821, the son of a physician. His family moved to Lisburn in 1830 following his father's death, later relocating to Delgany, County Wicklow. He was educated at the Royal School, Dungannon and commissioned in the Bengal Infantry in 1839. In Afghanistan, he distinguished himself defending Ghazni in 1841 but was subsequently imprisoned by Afghan forces and later rescued by a British column led by Major-General George Pollock. He fought with distinction in the First and Second Anglo-Sikh Wars and subsequently served as an administrative officer in the Punjab, where his reputation for ruthlessness was such that local villagers reportedly began to regard him as a deity, known as Nikkul Seyn. When the Indian Rebellion erupted in 1857, Nicholson was dispatched to suppress mutinous native infantry regiments and was promoted to Brigadier-General in June. He led the main storming-party in the assault on Delhi on 14 September 1857, where he was shot through the chest while commanding from the front. He died from his wounds a week later and was buried in front of the Kashmir Gate at Delhi, becoming celebrated as the "saviour of Delhi".

Pomeroy sculpted the statue in 1920 and it was erected in 1922, marking the centenary of Nicholson's birth. Pomeroy's other works include war memorials at Coleraine and Dungannon, and sculptures in the grounds of Belfast City Hall. The memorial was donated to Lisburn by Henry Musgrave, who with his brother Edgar had founded the tea and sugar importing firm of H and E Musgrave. The Musgrave brothers were noted philanthropists, presenting Musgrave Park, Musgrave Clinic and Riddel Hall to Belfast, and Henry was made an Honorary Burgess of Belfast in 1917. He died on 2 January 1922, weeks before the statue's unveiling. A further memorial tablet to Nicholson by John Foley is located in Lisburn Cathedral.