Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He assumed command of and handled his company with great courage and determination.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 116
Date: 25 July 1917

Alfred Ernest Wicks was a young Australian who attended Sydney Technical High School and fought in WW1. He was born on 29 November 1894 (1) in Adelaide, South Australia (1). He eventually moved to Marrickville, New South Wales, at 3 Anderton Street (1) with his family. Before the events of WW1, Wicks worked as a grocer practised the Church of England religion (5). He was only 19 years old when he enlisted for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), on 22 August 1914 (3). He embarked with the First Battalion, First Division in October as a Sergeant (3). His service number was 555.

After training in Egypt Wicks serviced at Gallipoli. On 19 May 1915, he fought in the Defence of Anzac during a huge Turkish or Ottoman attack, where he was wounded in action (4). The attack failed, and there were heavy casualties on both sides, but an armistice was eventually called so the dead could be collected and buried (4).

After treatment Wicks rejoined his Battalion 2 June 1915. Wicks was involved with the attack on Lone Pine in July 1915 (4). This brutal attack involved days of hand-to-hand combat in the trenches, and it is remembered as one of the bloodiest struggles of Gallipoli. Wicks fought once again in August when the Australians returned to Lone Pine for a final attack, with the goal of drawing Ottoman forces away from the main assault; it became the only real allied success of the campaign (4). In early December Wicks was promoted to Company Sergeant Major.

Wicks was evacuated to Alexandria after the withdrawal from Gallipoli, arriving 28 December 1915.  Wicks as mentioned in Despatches in connection with operations on the 11th December 1915. After further training in Egypt, he proceeded to France arriving 28 March 1916. In June he took 8 days leave in England and then returned to France. On 25 July 1916 he received a gun shot wound to his legs and was hospitalised in France and then transferred to England for further treatment and rest. His records noted that he was considered seriously ill 19 October 1916 while at the No 1 Auxillary Hospital in Harefield after his right leg was amputated. He continued to recover and it was noted that he was improving in November 1916. 

His excellence was recognised when he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal 1st January 1917(6). This citation praised him for “conspicuous gallantry in action,” stating that “he assumed command of his company and led them with courage and determination” (6). This honour shows the high level of respect Wicks had earned, and how his leadership skills proved crucial for success.

In July 1917 he was discharged to depot and soon after was shipped back to Australia for discharge on 12 March 1918.

Alfred Ernest Wicks passed away at the age of 60, at the Rookwood Crematorium on the 19 September 1955, with the cause of his death unknown (7). 

Bibliography:

- https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TFLicVAy-dgxljzMoNQJKbHzLecL65ke
- https://vwma.org.au/explore/units/320
- https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/119813
- https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1814424

End Notes:

- Birth Date, Location, Address found on the War Memorial (1)
- Date he enlisted found on the google drive, paperwork with details are there (2)
- Date of embarkation and battalion found on the War Memorial (3)
- Battles he was involved in are found on the Memorial, when clicking on details of his Battalion. (4)
- Schooling/Occupation/Marital Status/Medals/Fate/Religion found on Google Drive, with a link to a google doc containing his details (5)
- Information on his medals and evidence of him not receiving them found on the google drive, which contains letters he sent in an attempt to retrieve them (6)
- Date of death found on War Memorial, Location of death found on War Memorial (7)