Eugene Albert WICKENS

WICKENS, Eugene Albert

Service Numbers: 4, 1034
Enlisted: 24 January 1900, Adelaide, South Australia
Last Rank: Sergeant
Last Unit: Second Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse (South Australia)
Born: Clare, South Australia , July 1873
Home Town: Stepney, Norwood Payneham St Peters, South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Labourer
Died: Natural causes, Orroroo, South Australia, 23 September 1951
Cemetery: Orroroo Cemetery, S.A.
Plot: D, Grave: 20
Memorials: Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
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Boer War Service

24 Jan 1900: Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 4, 3rd South Australian Bushmen's Contingent, Adelaide, South Australia
27 Feb 1900: Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 4, 3rd South Australian Bushmen's Contingent, s.s. Maplemore, Port Adelaide
1 Jul 1900: Promoted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Lance Corporal, 3rd South Australian Bushmen's Contingent
25 Jun 1901: Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Lance Corporal, 4, 3rd South Australian Bushmen's Contingent, Dis-embarked in Adelaide, South Australia
6 Jan 1902: Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Sergeant, 1034, Second Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse (South Australia), 'D' Squadron, Adelaide, South Australia
20 Feb 1902: Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Sergeant, 1034, Second Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse (South Australia), s.s. Manchester Merchant, Port Adelaide
14 Aug 1902: Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Sergeant, 1034, Second Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse (South Australia), Returned to Australia 31 July 1902

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Biography contributed by Paul Trevor

From serching the Genealogy SA databases on historical records, with regards to birth, it shows that the correct spelling of the surname as WICKINS not that of Wickens which seems to be used when both brothers are being referenced with either their military service and/or history.

Thomas Hall and his brother Eugene Wilson Wilkens appears to be a close relations to both Eugene Albert and George William Wickens who also served with the brother's in the Second Contingent to South Africa.

The two enlisted children of George Alexander Wickins and Emma Jane (née Powell) Wickins of South Australia:-

96, 986 F/Sgt. George William Wickens (/explore/people/794224) - returned to Australia;

4, 1034 Sgt. Eugene Albert Wickens - returned to Australia.

'THE BUSHMEN'S CONTINGENT.

Three Men Captured.

The Fortune of War.

His Excellency the Governor has received a telegram from Sir Alfred Milner, dated August 22, stating that Lance-Corporal E. A. Wickens (No. 4), Trooper E. C. Spenda (No. 16), and Trooper T. Skene (No. 5), all of the South Australian Bushmen's Contingent, under Captain Hubbe, were taken prisoners of war at Buffalo Hoek on August 18.' from The Express and Telegraph 23 Aug 1900 (nla.gov.au)

'AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS IN SOUTH AFRICA.

HOW TROOPER SKENE WAS CAPTURED.

Lance-Corporal E. A. Wickens has written an interesting letter to Mr. D. J. O'Brien, of the Mount Gambier Hotel, under date of October 2, from which we make the following extracts :

-"We are now camped at Ottoshoop, about 20 miles from Mafeking. Our first fight was on August 13, on the border of the Transvaal and Rhodesia, about nine miles out from Mafeking. A patrol got surrounded and the South Australian Bushmen were sent out to relieve. I think there were about 80 to 100 Boers. We had a very warm time of it, and when it got dark we retired back to Mafeking. We relieved the patrol, but had one man wounded, H. Hayward, and a bullet through Trooper Sullivan's hat. All the rest got back to Mafeking safe.

"On August 16 we marched out of Mafeking, about 3,500 strong, under General Carrington. The scouts were sniped at all the way to Ottoshoop, where the fire got so warm that we fought a battle about three miles east of Ottoshoop. The big guns got into position, and did a lot of damage. Then the Tasmanian corps was told to charge a kopje. They charged in splendid order, under a heavy fire, and arrived at cover without loss. About an hour after a squadron of New South Welshmen were sent to reinforce the Tasmanians, but they had not gone more than a hundred yards before a man and two horses were shot. Then the South Australian Bushmen had to charge. We got to where the others were stationed, and then we were given "fours left," and had to take a kopje a quarter of a mile further on. We arrived there safe and sound, and found Boer ponies, overcoats, ammunition, and two dead Boers. The total number of Boers killed and wounded is supposed to be over a hundred. We lost six killed and about fifteen wounded. Nobody but Australians took part in this battle, and it lasted about four days. Tom Skene, E. Spender, a guide, and I were sent out to find the Boers' laager. Lord Errol told us we were on a dangerous errand, and must have good horses. We started at about 8 o'clock at night, travelled till midnight, and then stopped till just before daylight. We then started again, and bad not gone far before we saw Boers. We started back for camp, but we were cut off and had to race for it. I am now a lance-corporal, and was in charge. I had the fastest horse, but I kept behind until Skene's and Spender's horses were shot dead. The men were not hurt, so I rode for all I was worth. I was under fire for fully two miles, and my horse got hit twice, and it is marvellous that I was not shot. Lord Errol complimented me on my escape, and said I had done very well to get through. The latest reports about Skene and Spender are that they are well, but strict prisoners.

"On the 28th August we had another severe engagement. Paget's Horse were surrounded, and we were ordered out to relieve them. We got out about an hour before dark. The rifle fire was very hot, and the Boers had a Maxim playing on us. We had to fix bayonets in case of the Boers making a rush, but they had too much sense to attempt it. It was very short and sharp, and most of our men fired over a hundred rounds at the Boers. We relieved Paget's Horse. The relieving force was composed of Victorians, two squadrons of Paget's Horse, and all the South Australian Bushmen.
Two Victorians were killed in this battle. 

"On the 12th September the Australians (New South Welshmen, Tasmanians, and South Australian Bushmen), under Lord Errol, went out to look for the Boers. We were under Major Baker, on the left flank. After riding for awhile the Boers began firing, and we had to dismount, send back our horses, and take up a position on a kopje about eighteen hundred yards from the Boers. We had fired about forty rounds per man when the South Australians were told to take up a position within six hundred yards of the Boers, behind another small kopje. Our horses were called up, and we mounted. While mounting Trooper Coutts's horse was shot right through the shoulder. The rest of us charged, and got over safe as regards men, but we lost two more horses. We were only there about an hour when we got the order to retire. It is very dangerous and disagreeable work retiring, but orders have to be obeyed. As we retired in extended order Troopers Rowell and Jaffa were wounded, but not seriously, and another horse was shot. The bullets were just like hailstones, and I thought that half of our men wou'd be wounded. We were moving for the camp, No. 2 troop first, and then No. 1 troop. They got the order to mount, and when about ten of them, including the captain and lieutenant, were mounted and waiting for us the captain got a bullet through his heart. He only said, "I have got it," and died about ten minutes after wards. All the captain's goods were sold for the benefit of his widow, and a total sum of £75 was the outcome, although I suppose the value was not more than £15.

"The country we have come through up to now is good for nothing; even the goats die. I am not very well just now, but up till now I have missed no fighting.' from Border Watch 21 Nov 1900 (nla.gov.au)

On the 13 July 1901, Lance-Corporal E. A. Wickens was a member of the Third Contingent of Parading soldiers, like his brother Shoeing-Smith G. W. Wickens of the Fourth Contingent who both served in the First Boer War Campaign, were awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal by the Duke of York, Prince George. This award ceremony took place in Adelaide at Victoria Park.

'COUNTRY NEWS.

MORCHAD, August 1.

An enthusiastic welcome home was given to Corporal E. A. Wickins, of the First South Australian Bushmen's Corps, in the Institute Hall last night, and Mr. Jas. Scriven presided and welcomed the guest home from the war. A varied programme of vocal and instrumental music was carried out. Corpl. Wickens was made the recipient of a gold medal, suitably engraved, and he was received with prolonged cheers when he rose to reply. After the National Anthem was sung, supper was provided, and a few very pleasant hours were spent.' from Southern Cross 9 Aug 1901 (nla.gov.au)

'WICKINS. — In Ioving memory of Eugene, Albert; who passed away September 23 1951. — Inserted by his wife, daughter and grandchildren.

WICKINS.— In loving memory of Eugene Albert Wickins, who passed away on September 23, 1951, at Orroroo.— Inserted by Eugene, Margaret, Paul and Michael.' from The Advertiser 23 Sep 1952 (nla.gov.au)

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Biography contributed by Robert Kearney

On 18 August 1900 he and two comrades had their horses shot from beneath them and were taken prisoner; the Boers released them on 14 September.