Francis (George) Hicks MM

Francis (George) Hicks MM

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

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. .

Discharged 18 Jun 1946

Award Comment

Military Medal Outstanding courage and devotion at ABAU on 21 Jan 1945 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.