Nick, who died on 1st June, was born in Berlin in 1928, where his father was a Doctor of Medicine and a Doctor of Law. Nick and his brother Gerald (later RAF) came to England in the late 1930s on the last ‘Kinder’ train from Berlin. His Father and Grandfather both perished in the Holocaust. He was welcomed by the Benson family in Northamptonshire – the parents-in-law of the late Lt Col JR Wetherall Northamptonshire Regiment and the grandparents of the late Colonel JR Wetherall R Anglian. Life with many traumas was not easy for Nick but he was determined to succeed in gratitude to the Benson family. He won a scholarship to the local grammar school and to Lincoln College Oxford where he obtained a very good degree in physics.

Nick was then called up for National Service, commissioned into the Northamptonshire Regiment and joined the 1st Battalion in Trieste in mid 1952. He was a very popular and respected officer and soon made his mark as a platoon commander and sportsman. He was with the Battalion on its move to BAOR and remained there until the end of his full time service in September 1953. The Battalion enjoyed much success at rugby football with the main strength in the forwards ‘where a tough and mobile pack have been admirably led by 2Lt N Jonas’ (Regt Journal March 1953).Nick then joined the 5th Battalion The Northamptonshire Regiment where once again he showed his leadership qualities and was soon promoted Captain.

He was selected to join the Intelligence Staff of the local TA Brigade Headquarters. There was great disappointment when he chose to resign to follow his chosen career.Nick, because of his marketing, communication and management skills, was headhunted by IBM – then very small with approximately only forty employees. He was at the forefront of an industry then in its infancy. He dedicated his working life to IBM, enjoying prodigious appointments in the UK, France and the USA. He was a Director for many years.

On retirement Nick was again fully employed in Hampshire with involvement in education, especially the Universities of Southampton and Winchester, where he was Vice Chairman of the Governors of the latter and awarded an Honorary Fellowship; Health Trusts; many Charitable causes and appeals, including successfully raising very large sums for Winchester Cathedral Restoration; and being an Executive Committee Member of the Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust. For his outstanding contribution in Hampshire he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant and awarded an OBE.

Nick’s attitude to life and especially helping others is reflected aptly in an award he gave to Winchester University for presentation to the graduate in health and social care who made the most progress in adverse conditions and under the most difficult circumstances.

Nick never lost contact with his regimental friends. He always found the time to attend the annual Regimental luncheon in London. A magnificent Memorial Service was held in Winchester Cathedral on All Saints Day, 1st November, attended by many friends from all walks of his very full life devoted to others. He will be missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

PW