Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Thomas William Hickson was born 11th March, 1880 at Clapham, Surrey, England to parents George & Elizabeth Hickson (nee Newson).

He joined the Royal Navy on 29th March, 1901 for a period of 12 years. He was 5ft 9 ½ inches with brown hair, blue eyes & a fresh complexion. Thomas had a tattooed anchor on his left forearm & a heart with an arrow on his forearm.  He was issued a service number of 297016 (Portsmouth).

Thomas William Hickson was assigned to H.M.S. Duke of Wellington as Stoker 2nd Class on 29th March, 1901.

The 1901 England Census recorded Thos. Wm. Hickson as a 21 year old, single, Stoker with the Royal Navy. He was listed as part of the crew of H.M.S. Duke of Wellington which was stationed at Portsmouth on the night of Sunday, 31st March, 1901.

Stoker 2nd Class Thomas William Hickson was transferred to H.M.S. Australia on 29th November, 1901. He was appointed Stoker on 1st April, 1902 still with H.M.S. Australia.

He married Bertha Bryant on 25th December, 1902. Their marriage was registered in the December quarter, 1902 in the district of Brentford, Middlesex.

On 7th February, 1903 Stoker Hickson was transferred to H.M.S. Venus.

Thomas Stanley Hickson, son of Thomas & Bertha Hickson, was born on 15th March, 1904 at Isleworth, Middlesex.

Stoker Hickson was transferred to H.M.S. Firequeen on 3rd September, 1904 then transferred to H.M.S. Formidable on 1st October, 1904. His rating was reported as Stoker 1st Class on 1st July, 1906 on H.M.S. Formidable. Stoker 1st Class Hickson was transferred to H.M.S. Victory on 20th October, 1906 then to H.M.S. Terpischore on 10th November, 1906.

Bertha Hilda Minnie Hickson, daughter of Thomas & Bertha Hickson, was born on 23rd June, 1907.

On 25th April, 1908 Stoker 1st Class Hickson was transferred to H.M.S. Hindustan & promoted to  __ Leading Stoker on 1st April, 1909.

Rose Marian Hickson, daughter of Thomas & Bertha Hickson, was born on 30th April, 1909

Elizabeth Hickson, mother of Thomas William Hickson, died in 1909 in the Wandsworth district, England.

__ Leading Stoker Thomas William Hickson was transferred to H.M.S. Victory II on 5th October, 1909 then transferred to H.M.S. Fisgard on 19th October, 1909, where he was promoted to Leading Stoker on 11th March, 1910.

He passed educationally for Stoker Petty Officer on 4th March, 1910.

Leading Stoker Thomas William Hickson was transferred to H.M.S. Victory II on 12th March, 1910 then transferred to H.M.S. Ariadne on 20th August, 1910.

Horace Hickson, son of Thomas & Bertha Hickson, was born on 28th October, 1910.

The 1911 England Census recorded Thomas Hickson as a 31 year old, married Leading Stoker with the Royal Navy.  He was listed as part of the crew of H.M.S. Diadem which was stationed at Portsmouth on the night of Sunday, 2nd April, 1911.

The 1911 England Census also recorded Thomas Hickson as a 31 year old, married Leading Stoker with the Royal Navy living with his wife & children at 2 Cyprus Cottages (a four roomed dwelling), Prinsted, near Emsworth, Westbourne, Sussex, England. Thomas & his wife Bertha Hickson (aged 29) had been married for 8 years & had 4 children – all listed on this Census – Stanley Hickson (At School, aged 7, born Isleworth, Middlesex), Bertha Hickson (aged 3, born Prinsted, Sussex), Rose Hickson (aged 2, born Prinsted, Sussex) & Horace Hickson (aged 5 months, born Prinsted, Sussex).

On 4th April, 1911 Leading Stoker Hickson was posted to Abon Kir (?) & was promoted to Stoker Petty Officer on 7th October, 1911.

Stoker Petty Officer Thomas William Hickson was transferred to H.M.S. Hampshire on 5th December, 1911 then transferred to H.M.S. Victory II on 3rd August, 1912.

Grace Murial Hickson, daughter of Thomas & Bertha Hickson, was born 15th August, 1912.
 
George Hickson, father of Thomas William Hickson, died in 1912 in the Wandsworth district, England.
 
Stoker Petty Officer Hickson was transferred to H.M.S. Vernon on 14th September, 1912 until 28th March, 1913 where he was transferred to Shore as his time had expired.
 

Thomas William Hickson joined the Royal Australian Navy on 29th March, 1913 for a period of 5 years. He was 5ft 9 1/2inches with brown hair, blue eyes & a fresh complexion. He had a tattoo on both forearms. His next-of-kin was listed as his wife – Bertha Hickson

He was posted to London Depot as Stoker Petty Officer from 29th March, 1913 then posted to H.M.A.S. Sydney on 27th June, 1913. Stoker Petty Officer Thomas William Hickson was part of the crew involved in the H.M.A.S. Sydney’s sinking of the SMS Emden on 9th November, 1914.

Annie Margaret Hickson, daughter of Thomas & Bertha Hickson, was born May, 1914.
 

From 15th July to 20th July, 1915 Stoker Petty Officer Hickson was admitted to the Ship’s sick Bay with "aneurism abdominal aorta". He was discharged to the Naval Hospital at Bermuda & on 4th October, 1915 listed to be invalided back to England.

Stoker Petty Officer Thomas William Hickson was recorded on his Naval Service Card as being posted to London Depot (as opposed to being crew on a Ship) from 6th August, 1915.

He was invalided to England on H.M.S Berwick on 18th October, 1915 & admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Hampshire, England on 29th October, 1915.

Stoker Petty Officer Thomas William Hickson died on 9th November, 1915 at The Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Hampshire, England from “ruptured Aortic aneurysm 4 ½ months”.

He was buried in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Gosport, Hampshire, England – Plot number E. 23.33 and has an “Admiralty Cross” headstone, provided by the Admiralty. His death is still acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/gosport---haslar-royal-naval.html