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Difference between revisions of "Francis (George) Hicks MM"

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| rank           = Sergeant
| unit      = 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion
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| unit      = [[2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion]]
 
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Revision as of 18:08, 29 September 2020

Francis (George) Hicks MM
Hicks Francis George.jpg
Personal Information
Date of Birth 16 Nov 1911
Place of Birth Kelmscott, Western Australia
Death 5 Aug 1984, aged 72
Place of Death Kelmscott, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment 31 years old
Occupation carpenter
Next of Kin Wife , Mrs Edna May Hicks
Military Information
Reg Number WX22119 & W83866
Date of Enlistment 9 Nov 1942
Rank Sergeant
Unit/Formation 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion
Post War Details
Fate WIA 1945 Abau, New Guinea
Returned to Australia
Medals Military Medal
1939-45 Star
Pacific Star
War Medal 1939-45
Australian Service Medal 1939-45



Pre War

War Service

Enlisted in the Army's Citizen Military Forces at Mt Magnet with regimental number W83866 before changing to the 2nd AIF at Claremont.

On 22 Jan 1945 Cpl Hicks was one of three casualties suffered by a fighting patrol. He was hit in the chest and the arm. His Platoon Commander, not knowing that he was injured ordered him to take the Japanese position. After 30 minutes of skillful leadership he took the position without further casualties, and then collapsed through loss of blood. [1].



Discharged 18 Jun 1946


Award Comment

Military Medal Outstanding courage and devotion at ABAU on 21 Jan 1945[2][3] Award presented by Lieutenant-Governor of Western Australia at Government House, Perth on 27 May 1947.


Newspapers reported
"Wounded when his section came under heavy fire east of Abau, was ordered by his Platoon Commander, who did not know of his wound, to capture a position. In the half hour engagement Corporal Hicks, by skillful leadership captured the position without further casualties."

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 with Edna at Third avenue Kelmscott, carpenter; 1947- 1980 at 19 Armitage road, Kelmscott, builder. Also Kevin James and Robert George. Edna died 28 Oct 1991, aged 80 at Halls Head, Western Australia.

Notes

The position of Governor of Western Australia was not filled between 1931 and 5 Oct 1948 when Mitchell was appointed Governor.

  1. Battalion into Battle - The History of the 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion 1939-45 Wes Olsen 2011
  2. London Gazette 21 Jun 1945
  3. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 14 Jun 1945

External Links