Born in Guernsey Nicolls was raised in British North America in Halifax and Quebec City where his father commanded the Corps of Royal Engineers in Canada from 1815 to 1837 .
Guernsey is the son of General Gustavus Nicolls and Heriot Frances Thomson .
Born in Guernsey , the son of General Gustavus Nicolls and Heriot Frances Thomson , Nicolls was raised in British North America in Halifax and Quebec City where his father commanded the Corps of Royal Engineers in Canada from 1815 to 1837 .