Rfn
William Hicks
Informatie over geboorte
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Geboortejaar: 1882 |
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Geboorteplaats: Paddington, Middlesex, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk |
Algemene Informatie
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Beroep: Arbeider |
Informatie legerdienst
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Land: Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk |
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Strijdmacht: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rang: Rifleman |
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Service nummer: S/13233 |
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Dienstneming datum: 03/06/1915 |
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Dienstneming plaats: Marylebone, Middlesex, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk |
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Eenheden: — The Rifle Brigade, 8th Bn. (Laatst gekende eenheid) |
Informatie over overlijden
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Datum van overlijden: 24/08/1917 |
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Plaats van overlijden: Inverness Copse, België |
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Doodsoorzaak: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Leeftijd: 35 |
Gedenkplaats
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Tyne Cot Memorial Paneel: 146A |
Onderscheidingen en medailles 3
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1914-15 Star Medaille |
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British War Medal Medaille — 26/03/1920 |
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Victory Medal Medaille — 26/03/1920 |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Geboorteplaats | ||
| #2 | Dienstneming plaats |
Mijn verhaal
William Hicks was a 35-year old labourer from Paddington, Middlesex. He served in the 8th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, part of the 41st Brigade, of the 14th (Light) Division and took part in the Battle of Passchendaele.
On 22 August 1917 the 8th Rifle Brigade moved towards the frontline along the Menin Road, in anticipation of an attack. The attack, however, was cancelled and William’s Battalion was to be relieved during the night of 23 and 24 August. But the relief wasn’t carried out properly. Too few troops arrived and one and a half Company of the 8th Rifle Brigade were to stay at the Bund.
At 4 a.m. on the 24th of August a heavy German barrage came crashing down on Inverness Copse and Glencorse Wood. Two hours later the German infantry went over the top. The situation along the Menin Road soon became dire and at 1.10 p.m. orders were received that all units at the Bund were to reinforce the frontline, as a German breakthrough was pending. The 8th Battalion moved forwards through the German barrage, suffering several casualties. “C” Company was ordered to reoccupy the western edge of Inverness Copse. But they were soon held up by machine-gun fire and occupied shell holes astride the Menin Road. Finally the 72nd Brigade moved into support to help suppress the German attacks. With the help of the reinforcements the German advance was eventually halted and “C” Company was able to enter and consolidate the western edge of Inverness Copse at dusk. At night a defensive flank was formed along Jasper Avenue and the one and a half Company of the 8th Rifle Brigade was finally relieved at 3 a.m.
Rifleman Michael William Hicks was possibly killed in action during the attack on Inverness Copse, leaving behind a young family. William has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Zonnebeke.
On 22 August 1917 the 8th Rifle Brigade moved towards the frontline along the Menin Road, in anticipation of an attack. The attack, however, was cancelled and William’s Battalion was to be relieved during the night of 23 and 24 August. But the relief wasn’t carried out properly. Too few troops arrived and one and a half Company of the 8th Rifle Brigade were to stay at the Bund.
At 4 a.m. on the 24th of August a heavy German barrage came crashing down on Inverness Copse and Glencorse Wood. Two hours later the German infantry went over the top. The situation along the Menin Road soon became dire and at 1.10 p.m. orders were received that all units at the Bund were to reinforce the frontline, as a German breakthrough was pending. The 8th Battalion moved forwards through the German barrage, suffering several casualties. “C” Company was ordered to reoccupy the western edge of Inverness Copse. But they were soon held up by machine-gun fire and occupied shell holes astride the Menin Road. Finally the 72nd Brigade moved into support to help suppress the German attacks. With the help of the reinforcements the German advance was eventually halted and “C” Company was able to enter and consolidate the western edge of Inverness Copse at dusk. At night a defensive flank was formed along Jasper Avenue and the one and a half Company of the 8th Rifle Brigade was finally relieved at 3 a.m.
Rifleman Michael William Hicks was possibly killed in action during the attack on Inverness Copse, leaving behind a young family. William has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Zonnebeke.
Bronnen 6
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"Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Uniform, 2018, pg. 64. Gebruikte bronnen |
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"The History of the Rifle Brigade in the War of 1914-1918: Vol. II January 1917 - June 1919", Seymour W., London, 1936, pg. 132-135. Gebruikte bronnen |
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Ancestry Verdere verwijzing |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/836440/hicks,-william/ Gebruikte bronnen |
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The Long, Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Gebruikte bronnen |
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War Diary The Rifle Brigade, 8th Bn. http://www.nmarchive.com/ Verdere verwijzing |