Hicks, Richard Ernest
6324 Private Richard Ernest Hicks MM - 28th Battalion AIF
Richard Ernest Hicks was born in Fremantle in 1885 to Richard and Sarah Hicks. He was one of nine siblings in the family. His father was a Mariner and was often in the North West of the State but then took up a position on Fremantle wharf to be closer to his family.
Richard grew up and was educated locally at Fremantle Boys School. The family were living at 42 Russell Street Fremantle then moving down to 38 Russell St Fremantle (Later renumbered to 14 & 10 Russell Street).
Prior to the Great War Richard was working as a Clerk.
On the 19th July 1916 Richard enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment, with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 8 inches tall'
Weight - 153lbs;
Chest Measurement - 35-37 inches;
Complexion - Fresh;
Eyes - Brown;
Hair - Black.
Upon his successful enlistment Richard was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the training depot. He was then taken through the basics of infantry work for a few weeks. Richard was then assigned to the 18th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion AIF.
On the 29th Decem er 1916 Richard and his group entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Persic. The ship then set sail for England, reaching Devonport Harbour on the 3rd March 1917. After being disembarked Richard and his group were sent to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone Camp on the Salisbury Plains. He would spent the next two months training in England.
On the 23rd May 1917 Richard proceeded to France and spent a few weeks at the 2nd Australian Division Base Depot at Le Havre. He was taken on strength of the 28th battalion on the 12th June 1917. Richard joined them at a good time as the 28th battalion had just commenced a three month rest period out of the front line. The next three months were taken up by training and sporting activities.
In September 1917 the 28th battalion headed for Belgium where they would be taking part in the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 20th September 1917 the 28th Battalion took part in the action at the Battle of Menin Road. Richard came through this major action safely, and in October and November 1917 served at Zonnebeke, Broodseinde Ridge and Passchendaele.
From December 1917 to March 1918 the 28th battalion helped to hold the front line south east of Ypres between Hollebeke and Messines.
On March 21st 1918 the Germans had broken through the British front further south and the Australian divisions were sent down from Belgium to the Somme region to help stop this German advance.
Richard and the 28th Battalion came into contact with the Germans around Dernancourt and Ville-sur-Ancre in April 1918 and were in this region for a few weeks. They then remained around Morlancourt through May and June 1918, taking part in the capture of that village.
Richard and his unit were now sent to Villers-Bretonneux and in July 1918 the 28th Battalion successfully captured Monument Wood. A large advance was due to commence on August 8th 1918.
Richard served with his unit through the next few months, though he missed the August 8th attack from Villers-Bretonneux which smashed through the German lines as he was on leave in England. Richard returned on the 24th August 1918 and the 28th Battalion participated in several actions over the next few weeks, most notably at Peronne and Mont St Quentin. The 28th Battalion was in action until October 4th 1918 when they fought at Montbrehain.
Richard was decorated for his bravery at the 28th Battalion's last action of the war. The Official recommendation reads;
During the attack on the Beaurevoir Line east of Peronne on 3/10/18 under a very heavy barrage of enemy artillery and machine gun fire, this man went out to locate and deliver a message to a party which had become detached its Company and had pushed too far ahead. The safe and speedy delivery of the message undoubtedly was the means of saving the lives of many of his comrades. By his conduct throughout the operation, he set a very fine example of courage, and infused a spirit of confidence in all who associated with him.
Richard was with the 28th Battalion when the Armistice was announced on the 11th November 1918. The 28th Battalion were then sent to what had been German occupied Belgium around Charleroi. Richard remained with his unit until the 4th April 1919. He was then granted two weeks leave to England.
Richard returned to France in late April 1919 and served here for a few more weeks. Richard was posted back to England on the 16th May 1919. He was then sent to No.2 Group Camp at Sutton Veny where he would now wait to be assigned a berth on a troopship home.
On the 23rd July 1919 Richard boarded the transport ship Main and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 27th September 1919. Richard was then discharged from the AIF on the 5th November 1919.
During his absence at the war, his mother had died 1917.
Richard was married in 1921 to Muriel Louise Benham and a son Hedley was born in 1926 and Cyril in 1930.
By 1925 the family was living at 86 Glyde Street East Fremantle (later renumbered to 46 Glyde) and Richard was working as an Accountant.
His father died in Fremantle in 1927.
Sadly Richard died on the 2nd May 1941 aged 55. He was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.