Military Service Roll

The Hicks Family Military Service Roll

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

ANZAC Day on April 25 and Remembrance Day on November 11 are two important days in Australia for military heritage. And in the Hicks family there have been quite a few who have served their country – in the Boer War, at Gallipoli, the Middle East, the Western Front, New Guinea and Borneo, Vietnam, and more besides.

Some put their ages up to enlist, and and others enlisted well into their 30’s, 40’s & even 50’s. At least one older Hicks family member even put his age down by up to 7 years in order to enlist!

And unlike many families, most survived service in overseas conflicts, to return to their families in Australia – two exceptions being descendants of Hamilton Herbert Hicks : Acting Corporal Herbert “Bert” Charles Rogers who died at died at Gona New Guinea in 1942 and Private Lyle Hicks who died at Buna New Guinea, also in 1942 (click for more details).

Though several Next of Kin were erroneously advised that their relative had died overseas. And some died on Australian soil when they were in the military –  due to varying causes.

War Memorial in Fred Woodward Park Thirroul

War Memorial in Bill Woodward Park Thirroul – RIP – Lest We Forget

Undoubtedly the most regarded descendant of James and Margaret Hicks involved in the military services was Captain George Hicks, 9th child of Henry Thomas Hicks, who served in both the Boer War and WWI. And there is Lieutenant Colonel Richard Watson, descendant of Annie Broadhead nee Hicks, who is currently serving as Military Advisor – Military Attache in Honiara Solomon Islands.

But of course other members of the family network of James and Margaret Hicks have served since the Boer War. Most enlisted in the Army, if not stated otherwise,  and those who enlisted in the Lighthorse, Navy or RAAF are specifically indicated.

To discover what has been uncovered so far – Click on the link in the table below to select a branch of James and Margaret Hicks descendants …

Henry Thomas William Richard Annie Broadhead George
Deborah Woodford Alice McEwen James Mary Jane Collings Charles
Thomas Hamilton Herbert Minnie M Blundell


Captain Henry Thomas Hicks JP  Senior and Family – 1st child of James & Margaret Hicks

  • Captain Henry Thomas Hicks JP Senior – himself was the Captain in the Bulli Reserve Rifle Club from 1890
  • Family of Margaret Cook (nee Hicks) – eldest daughter of Captain Henry Thomas JP
    • George Wilfred Cook WWI, son of Margaret Cook – he put his age up but was found out and was discharged very quickly – enlistment & discharge details – such was the enthusiasm to serve one’s country in 1918 !
    • Corporal Angus Rummery McDonald WWII record – husband of Marjorie Allison Cook, daughter of Margaret Cook
      • Harold Rummery – WWII & afterwards Navy record – son of Margaret Cook’s daughter Marjorie Allison Rummery (nee Cook)
  • Captain George Hicks – 9th child of Henry Thomas and Mary Ann  Hicks – Enlistment Details. 
Captain George Hicks

Captain George Hicks

Joan Adams, mother of Kerrie Christian and her brother, Daryl Adams, would speak to them of her Great Uncle George who was in the Boer Wars and First World War. There were some photos in old family albums from places in the Middle East like Sinai – Palestine. George Hicks, 5th son and 9th child of Henry Thomas and Mary Ann Hicks,  served in the permanent armed forces during the Boer Wars and in World War 1.

He was also married to Lucy Ann Keene, known as Lou, and he lived long enough for them to celebrate 50 years of marriage and beyond. Not bad at all for being through the Boer Wars and Gallipoli.

Boer Wars – During the Boer Wars, he achieved the rank of Bombadier, and in the First World War was promoted to Captain.  His Boer Wars record certainly seems impressive. Bombadier George Hicks – Source : Boer War Memorial Website. He seems to have been a Sergeant Major prior to WWI, being located at Bulli then Murwillumbah. He left Murwillumbah for Enoggera Encampent. Although he appeared to have been previously part of A Battery Royal Australian Artillery & A Battery NSW Artillery, however on WW1 he became part of the predominantly Queenslander 5th Light Horse Regiment in November 1914. A Battery Royal Australian Regiment is the oldest permanent unit of the Australian Army, according to the Australian War Memorial Web Site. Although mention is made of his serving in the NSW  Garrison Artillery, these details have yet to be clarified.

World War 1 Activities – Captain George Hicks was in the Australian Fifth Light Horse of the AIF in Sinai – and was one of two casualties at the Battle of Romani in 1916 (see photo). Another report of Lieutenant George Hicks being wounded in Egypt was in the August 26 1916 edition of the Sydney Morning Herald, viz “Lieutenant George Hicks, son of Mrs. Henry T. Hicks, of Thirroul, has been wounded in Egypt. Lieutenant Hicks fought through the Gallipoli campaign.“

  • Family of Christina Woolley – 10th child of Captain Henry Thomas Hicks JP
    • Sergeant Harry Julian WWII RAAF record – 1st husband of Muriel Lucy Woolley, daughter of Christina Woolley
    • David William McKenzie record – 2nd husband of Muriel Lucy Woolley, daughter of Christina Woolley
Captain Henry

Captain Henry “Harry” Thomas Hicks (left) in France WWI – unknown friend on right

Captain Henry Thomas Hicks Jnr

 

  • Captain Henry Thomas Hicks Jnr  – 11th child of Captain Henry Thomas Hicks JP and younger brother of Captain George Hicks – their father was the eldest child of James and Margaret Hicks – enlistment details /  WW1 Service period 1914-1920.

Captain Henry Thomas Hicks Jnr actually swore his oath  of attestation for overseas service on April 25 1916, the 1st anniversary of ANZAC Day.

  • Kenneth Charles Joy

    Kenneth Charles Joy

    Family of Edith of Florence Joy nee Hicks 12th child of Captain Henry Thomas Hicks JP,

  • Kenneth Charles Joy – son of Edith Florence Joy (nee Hicks)   – Naval  Service Number – 6056. This record shows his date of birth in 1901 yet the NSW BDM records it as 1902 (refer 3698/1902) – so perhaps he put his age up. He started and ended on HMAS Tingira, the Naval Training Ship. He also served on the following Naval ships – Sydney, Warrego, Franklin, Brisbane, Cerebus, Adelaide. Kenneth died relatively early, leaving a widow Marjory, and 3 children, who were all looked after by Legacy. Marjory was a member of War Widows Guild and the Woonona Bulli RSL Laurel Club.

  • Private Cyril Ross Adams - 2nd AIF 7th Division 21st Brigade - 2/16th Battalion

    Private Cyril Ross Adams – 2nd AIF 7th Division 21st Brigade – 2/16th Battalion

    Cyril Ross Adams – husband of Joan Lois, 2nd grandchild of Edith Florence Joy nee Hicks – served in New Guinea and Borneo in WWII – Service Record – more detailed. As with Kenneth Charles Joy it would appear that Ross put his age up as well. After Ross’s death Joan was a member of War Widows Guild and the Woonona Bulli RSL Laurel Club. 

  • David John Christian – husband of Kerrie Anne, daughter of Joan, 2nd grandchild of Edith Florence Joy nee Hicks – member of CMF which preceded the Army Reserve Forces
    • John Alfred Callcott – grandson of Edith Florence Joy nee Hicks – National Service in Royal Australian Navy in 1951-59 era – see Nasho Nominal Roll 5019 NS
  • Family of Ida McKenzie Webb nee Hicks – 13th child of Captain Henry Thomas Hicks JP
    • Frederick Henry Webb WWII record – son of Ida McKenzie Webb
    • Douglas Bradford Stuart – WWII  record – husband of Ida McKenzie Webb’s daughter Gwyneth Mary Emily Stuart
    • Gerald Robert Bruce Knox – WWII record – husband of Ida McKenzie Webb’s daughter Ida McKenzie “Mac” Knox
    •  John Willis Godwin Jnr  served in both Army & RAAF – WWII – husband of Ida McKenzie’s daughter Lois Joy Godwin
  • Richard Ernest Hicks – 14th child of Captain Henry Thomas Hicks JP – WWII Service in CMF – record –  looks like he dropped his age by about 7 years to enlist in WWII
    • James Alexander Morley WWII record – husband of Richard Ernest Hicks daughter Marjorie Mary Morley
    • George Little WWII record and afterwards – husband of Richard Ernest Hicks’ daughter Thelma Little
    • Sergeant Victor Callaghan WWII RAAF record – husband of Richard Ernest Hicks’ daughter Daphne Josephine Callaghan

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William Hicks Family- 2nd child  of James & Margaret Hicks

  • Harold Milton Fredericks – WWI record – stepson of Florence Eva Fredericks nee Hicks – 4th child of William Hicks (source Richmond River Historical Society (Lismore) – Fighting Sons 2002 2006)
  • Caleb War Shang – brother of Kate, wife of Joseph Henry Hicks, 5th child of William – Caleb was the most decorated Asian Australian serviceman in WWI – served at Passchendaele – awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal with Bar and Military Medal – record – more
  • Henry Algar Cahill Hicks – 3rd child of Joseph Henry Hicks, 5th child of William – WWII record
  •  Albert Jessop Hicks – 5th child of Joseph Henry Hicks, 5th child of William – WWII Record
  • William J Hicks – 8th child of William Hicks – was a WWI military chaplain
  • Richard John Hicks – youngest child of Williams Hicks – WWI enlistment details

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Richard Hicks Family – 3rd child of James & Margaret Hicks

  • Family of Frances Whereat nee Hicks – eldest child (twin) of Richard Hicks
    • Lance Corporal John George Richard McLean – husband of Alice Whereat – 1st child of Frances Whereat – WWII  record
    • Terence Landers – husband of Bessie Lillian Whereat – 2nd child of Frances Whereat – WWII RAAF – record
    • Corporal Arthur Keith Barnes – husband of Eileen Whereat – 3rd child of Frances Whereat – WWII record
  • Family of John Campbell Hicks – 3rd child of Richard Hicks
    • Errol John James – Grandson of John Campbell Hicks – 3rd child of Richard Hicks – WWII RAAF record
    • Lieutenant Stanley Leslie Devlin – Husband of Clare Thompson – Granddaughter  of  John Campbell Hicks – 3rd child of Richard Hicks – WWII – record
    • Robert Alan Jenner Burns – Husband of Minnie Hicks 5th child of John Campbell Hicks – 3rd child of Richard Hicks – WWII – record

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Annie Broadhead nee Hicks Family – 4th child  of James & Margaret Hicks

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George Hicks Family – 5th child of James & Margaret Hicks

  • William John Hicks – 7th child of George Hicks is believed to have enlisted in WWI on September 11 1916 at Maryborough – however there are currently problems with details of his on-line service records and the AWM have been contacted – when this is sorted out the web link to correct details of his service record will be given here

Deborah Woodford nee Hicks Family – 6th child of James & Margaret Hicks

  • William Arthur Woodford – 3rd child of Deborah Woodford (nee Hicks)  – enlistment details – died in Armidale Military Camp 9.9.1916 more 

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Alice McEwen nee Hicks Family – 7th Child of James & Margaret Hicks

  • Charles Henry McEwen – 2nd son of Alice Mc Ewen (nee Hicks), their 7th child. Born in 1879 near Thirroul (1879 NSW BDM 26056/1879) may have been a miner in Coolgardie in 1906 and Kalgoorlie in 1937. Read his military record for WWI 1915-1917. When he enlisted he was a single miner of 39 years old, giving his next of kin to be his mother Alice with her in Thirroul, although he enlisted from Geraldton perhaps as he was a miner in WA; and departed from Fremantle – see Mapping our ANZACS
  • William Spowart – eldest son of Margaret Spowart (nee McEwen), the eldest daughter of Alice Mc Ewen (nee Hicks), 7th child of James and Margaret Hicks. William (1893 – 1940) was born in Beaconsfield died in Launceston – also lived in Mt Lyell in 1915 ? Served in WWI 1915-1919 – military record 

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James Hicks – 8th Child of James & Margaret Hicks

  • James Hicks served in the Richmond River Lancers in Northern NSW with his brothers Thomas and Charles Hicks – more information to follow – note he never married

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Mary Jane Collings nee Hicks Family – 9th Child of James & Margaret Hicks

  • William T Collings – 4th child of Mary Jane Collings nee Hicks  -WWI enlistment details

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Charles Hicks and Family – 10th Child child of James & Margaret Hicks

  • Charles Hicks – served in the Richmond River Lancers in Northern NSW with his brothers Thomas and James Hicks – more information to follow
  • Lyle (or Lyell) Hicks – 2nd child of Charles Hicks -WWI  enlistment details

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Thomas Hicks – 11th Child of James & Margaret Hicks

  • Thomas Hicks – Twin to Charles Hicks (above)  – Was a Sergeant in the NSW Lancers in the Lismore area- the predecessor the Australian Light Horse – more information on Thomas – note he never married

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Hamilton Herbert Hicks Family – 12th Child of James & Margaret Hicks

Lyle Hicks - RIP

Lyle (Leslie) Hicks –  grandson of Hamilton Herbert Hicks but raised as his son (refer NSW BDM 40749/1912) – QX7343 -WWII – killed 18.12.1942 at Buna, final stages of the New Guinea Kokoda Campaign – Roll of Honour – 2/9th Battalion – 18th Brigade – 6th Division – click for Last Post Ceremony honouring Lyle Hicks

Click on the link to read : The Story of Lyle Hicks told at the Australian War Memorial Last Post Ceremony September 26 2014

Herbert Charles Rogers

Herbert Charles “Bert” Rogers – RIP

Herbert “Bert” Rogers – third son of Irene & Frederick Arthur Rogers, Irene was 4th child of  Hamilton Herbert Hicks – WWII – killed 24.11.1942 at Gona, final stages of New Guinea Kokoda Campaign – Roll of Honour – Acting Corporal 2/2nd Battalion – NX47910 – 2/2nd Battalion – 16th Brigade – 6th Division – click for Last Post Ceremony honouring Bert Rogers.

Click on the link to read : The  Story of Herbert Charles “Bert” Rogers  told at the Australian War Memorial Last Post Ceremony September 27 2014.

  • Note – With the 1942 push back of the Japanese along the Kokoda trail, the Australians achieved final success at Buna, Gona and Sanananda beachheads over the previously unstoppable Japanese  driven out from the New Guinea mainland by early 1943. However, this Australian victory came at great loss of life – Lyle Hicks and Bert Rogers were two of those lost. They are to be honoured at Last Post Ceremonies  to be held at the Australian War Memorial on September 26 2014 & September 27 2014 respectively.

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  • William Andrew “Fred” Rogers – 1st son of Irene & Frederick Arthur Rogers – Irene was 4th child of Hamilton Hicks  – QX 28061
  • Thomas Leslie Rogers – second son of Irene & Frederick Arthur Rogers, 4th child of Hamilton Hicks – NX201913 – WWII
  • Robert James Rogers -fourth son of Irene & Frederick Arthur Rogers – Irene was 4th  child of Hamilton Hicks – NX140291 & N167322 – WWII
  • John Hamilton Rogers – fifth son of Irene & Frederick Arthur Rogers, 4th child of Hamilton Hicks – Navy after WWII – further info tba

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Minnie Margaret Blundell nee Hicks Family – 13th Child of James & Margaret Hicks

  • Harry Blundell – Step-son of Minnie Margaret Blundell (nee Hicks) – WWI enlistment details

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