WICKHAM, Lindsay Claude
| Service Number: | 447 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 August 1914, Morphetville, SA |
| Last Rank: | Second Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | McLaren Vale, South Australia, 20 July 1895 |
| Home Town: | McLaren Vale, Onkaparinga, South Australia |
| Schooling: | McLaren Flat School, , South Australia |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Died: | Killed In Action, Pozieres, France, 25 July 1916, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, McLaren Vale Memorial Wall, McLaren Vale Roll of Honour, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 447, 10th Infantry Battalion, Morphetville, SA | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1914: | Involvement Private, 447, 10th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Oct 1914: | Embarked Private, 447, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Adelaide | |
| 7 Jan 1916: | Honoured Military Medal, For bravery in the field & devotion to duty | |
| 25 Jul 1916: | Involvement Second Lieutenant, 10th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 10 Battalion awm_rank: Second Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1916-07-25 | |
| 29 Jul 1916: | Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal |
Story from the Australian War Memorial
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1667683
447 Lance Corporal (L Cpl) Lindsay Claude Wickham, 10th Battalion, of McLaren Flat, SA. A carpenter prior to enlistment, he embarked with B Company from Adelaide aboard HMAT Ascanius on 20 October 1914. The 10th Battalion was among the covering force for the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. L Cpl Wickham suffered several bouts of illness during the Gallipoli campaign and was invalided to Egypt in November 1915. Moving with his unit to France in April 1916, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant the following month. On 25 July 1916 Sgt Wickham's unit took part in an attack at Pozieres. He was recommended for the award of a Military Medal for leading a party along the parapet and throwing bombs into a German trench, continuing until it was taken despite suffering a leg injury. After his leg was dressed, Sgt Wickham assisted in carrying a badly wounded man to the aid post, carrying him for part of the way on his back. Shortly after the battle he was reported wounded and missing in action. Despite extensive enquiries made by the Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Bureau, they were unable to establish his fate or whereabouts. The Australian military authorities later listed 2nd Lieutenant Wickham as killed in action on 25 July 1916, aged 21. He was posthumously awarded the Military Medal on 27 October 1916.
Submitted 26 July 2018 by Elizabeth Allen
Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Lindsay Claude WICKHAM was born on 20th July, 1895 at McLaren Vale, South Australia
His parents were Benjamin WICKHAM and Alice BARTRUM
He had served previously for 3 years with the Senior Cadets and 1 year with the Citizens Military Forces before he enlisted in Morphetville, SA on 19th August, 1914 as a Private with the 10th Infantry Battalion which embarked from Adelaide on 20th October, 1914 on the HMAT Ascanius
Lindsay moved up and down the ranks and became a 2nd Lieutenant (see his NAA file for details of his promotions)
He was listed as Wounded & Missing on 25th July, 1916 and after a court of enquiry was held it was stated that he had been Killed in Action
His name is memorialised on the Australian War Memorial and the Villers Bretonneux Memorial - no known grave
Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal
Honours: Distinguished Conduct Medal & Military Medal
Click images to start slideshow.