He was the younger son of the former and Catherine Louisa Bouverie-Pusey and the poet and artist John Bowyer Buchanan Nichols of Lawford Hall, Essex.

Nichols "served for two years in New Zealand giving advice and helping train a diplomatic service there.

[4] He was ambassador to the Czechoslovak government-in-exile" in London during World War II,[5] and went to Prague in 1945 to "continue his duties.

They lived at Lawford Hall, Manningtree, Essex and he was interested in "forestry, farming, opera and ballet.

"[8] Together, they were the parents of two daughters and two sons, including:[1] Sir Philip died on 6 December 1962 in London at the age of 68 and he was buried at St Mary's, Lawford.