HICKS, Ernest Beeton


No.8829, Lance Corporal, Ernest Beeton HICKS
Aged 27


7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders
Died of his Wounds on Thursday, 13th July 1916


Born at 24 Hospital Road, Bury St.Edmunds on 10th September 1888 (4th qtr Bury St Edmunds 4a:685 ) the son of Amelia HICKS. Baptised at St.Mary's on 26th October 1888. His mother married George BEETON 1st qtr 1891.

1891 census...Aged 2, he was at 24 Union Terrace, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds with his grandfather Joseph HICKS [46] labourer and grandmother Mary Ann HICKS [48] born Great Welnetham, his aunt Ada [16] and uncle Frank Charles [12]; his step father George BEETON [23] carter; his mother Amelia BEETON [22] brother George Beeton HICKS [6 months]. All except his grandmother were born in Bury St.Edmunds.

1901 census...Aged 12, he was still with his grandparents at 24 Hospital Road but as Ernest BEETON. At 137 Eastgate Street were his mother, brother George and half brothers James [6] and William [2]; half sister Ethel [4]

1911 census...It may be him E. BEETON (living alone) at 11 Pelican Court, Eastgate Street on the 1911 census summary. He may well have enlisted in the Army around this time. No record found as to which regiment he joined, the photo is NOT Seaforths.


Despite being in France/Flanders within the stipulated time period he does not have the clasp to his 1914 Star. This was no doubt due to his relatives failing to claim it. His sole legatee was his aunt Ada (Mrs NUGUS). CWGC have him in the 7th Battalion, the medal card says 2nd.

Corbie was a medical centre during the battle of the Somme. The 7th Seaforth were fighting in the Bernafay area


This photo pre-war, certainly not Seaforth Highlanders, but a relative tells me that here Ernest for some reason was using his brother George's uniform (Lincolnshire Regiment)





photo C.W.G.C.


Ernest Hicks is buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension , France 1:C:27

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


BACK