HICKFORD, Herbert James


No.240550, Private, Herbert James HICKFORD
Aged 24


1st/5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
formerly No 2369, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Friday, 2nd November 1917


Herbert James Hickford was born in Posligford (Risbridge Q3-1893 4A:708), baptised in St Mary's, Poslingford on 8th August 1894, son of George and Susannah HICKFORD (née ATKINSON).

1901 census...Aged 7, he was at Church Street, Poslingford with his widowed grandmother Maria ATKINSON [61]; uncle Willie ATKINSON [31] horseman. All born in Poslingford. His parent were next door. His father George HICKFORD [36] stockman born Clare; his mother Susannah [35]; brothers Walter[6] and Ernest [1]; sister Florence [3]. All except his father born in Poslingford.

1911 census...Aged 17, farm labourer, he was at Poslingford with his uncle Willie ATKINSON, grandmother Maria ATKINSON and his sister Florence [13] born Poslingford. His parents were in Poslingford with his brothers Walter (farm labourer), Ernest and Albert [8] and sister Elsie [7] both born in Poslingford.



He enlisted in Clare.
The 1st/5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment were involved in the 3rd battle for Gaza. Zero for the attack was 3 am on 2nd November 1917. The objective for the Suffolks was a 6,000 yards front from Umbrella Hill to the sea at Sheikh Hassan, Sheikh Hassan being 3,000 yards from their start point. The first line trenches at El Arish Redoubt were soon cleared, then the second and third lines. As their flank was then exposed they withdrew to the second line. By the morning of the 7th the Turks had all gone but at the cost to the Suffolks of 150 casualties.

CWGC have 34 killed on the 2nd, all bar 5 buried in Gaza War Cemetery.



photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Herbert Hickford is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, grave 8:G:14

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


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