Richard Ernest Woodland HICKS MM

HICKS, Richard Ernest Woodland

    Service Number: 6324
    Enlisted: 19 July 1916, Enlisted at Fremantle, WA
    Last Rank: Private
    Last Unit: 28th Infantry Battalion
    Born: Fremantle, Western Australia, 1885
    Home Town: Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: Clerk
    Died: Fremantle, Western Australia, 2 May 1941, cause of death not yet discovered
    Cemetery: Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia
    Crematorium Rose Gardens, Garden 14A, Site 003
    Memorials:
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    World War 1 Service

    19 Jul 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6324, 28th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted at Fremantle, WA
    29 Dec 1916: Involvement Private, 6324, 28th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Persic embarkation_ship_number: A34 public_note: ''
    29 Dec 1916: Embarked Private, 6324, 28th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Persic, Fremantle
    17 Jun 1919: Honoured Military Medal, Citation reads:- Private Hicks has rendered splendid service as a runner. He has at all times displayed a keen sense of duty and a total disregard for his own personal safety. During the many operations of recent months, he has carried out his duties fearlessly, on many occasions passing through heavy enemy barrages to deliver his despatches. During the attack on the Beaurevoir Line, east of Amiens on 3rd October 1918 under a very heavy barrage of enemy artillery and machine gun fire, he went out to locate and deliver a message to a party which had become detached from its Company, and had pushed too far ahead. The safe and speedy delivery of the message undoubtedly was the means of saving the lives of many of his comrades. By his conduct throughout the operation, he set a very fine example of courage, and infused a spirit of confidence in all associated with him, which is seldom excelled. London Gazette on 17 June 1919, page 7696, position 30 Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 October 1919, page 1498, position 83
    23 Jul 1919: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 6324, 28th Infantry Battalion, per HT Main
    5 Nov 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 6324, 28th Infantry Battalion, Discharged at the 5th Military District

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    Biography contributed by Carol Foster

    Son of Richard Hicks and Sarah Hicks of Russell Street, Fremantle, WA

    Brother of Fredercik Benjamin Hicks who returned to Australia on 8 July 1919

    Commenced return to Australia on 23 July 1919 aboard HT Main disembarked on 27 September 1919

    Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

    During 1921c Richard married Muriel M. Benham in Fremantle, WA

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