No.654230, Private, George WICKS
Aged 23
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George Wicks was born on 6th August 1894 (according to his Army records)in Islington, London . His birth registration and parentage has not been identified.
1901 census...Possibly the George Wicks [5 ?] born Islington who was at the Workhouse School, Andover Row, Hornsey Road, Islington 1911 census...Aged 13 (sic), he was at Holywell Row with John BUTCHER [62] farmer and wife Mary Ann. Also there was Tomas HOLMES [15] (born Islington) |
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He enlisted in Clinton, Ontario on January 8th 1916. He gave his date of birth as August 6th 1894, in London. His address was RR No 3 Kippen, Ontario and his
next of kin was his guardian Edmund Morrison He was 5 feet 8 inches (172.7 cm) tall, chest 36.5" to 39.5" (92.7 to 100.3 cm), weight 143lbs (64.9 kg), brown eyed, black hair, Presbyterian. From Canadian Archives RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 10340 - 44 Item Number:311927. Posed initially to 161st Battalion, he sailed from Halifax per SS "Lapland" on 1st November 1916, arriving Liverpool 11th November and went to Whitley Camp, then joined 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion at Bramshott on 24th February 1918, before going to France on 28th March 1918. Taken ill with suspected sunstroke on 21st May, he was admitted to No 54 Casualty Clearing Station on 26th where he was diagnosed with lobar pneumonia and was dangerously ill, dying on 30th May at 54 C.C.S. His will was in favour of his guardian in Canada, Edmund Morrison. During the fighting in the Spring of 1918 the 54th Casualty Clearing Station came to Aire and the town was, for a while, within 13 kilometres of the German lines. The Bury Free Press of 15th June 1918 reported:- YOUNG SOLDIER DIES IN HOSPITAL A letter written by the sister in charge of one of the hospitals in France, received by Mr.and Mrs.John Butcher, Holywell Row, Mildenhall, informed them that Prvt George Wicks, Canadian Forces was seriously ill suffering from acute pneumonia. A second letter conveyed the sad news that he died on May 27th. He was 23 years of age, and came to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Butcher from a children's home, being with them eight years.. Six years ago he was sent to Canada, and was in the home of a farmer until November 1916, when he enlisted and came to England for his training, being one of 14,000 coming to fight for their country. General regret is felt at his early death. He had visited his former home since being over and was popular with those who knew him. photo: Rodney Gibson photo: Rodney Gibson and on Beck Row war memorial click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
