2367 Trooper George Hicks was a
patient at Hickwells in May 1916 and transferred to Beechlands the following month when Hickwells was vacated. He appears in the photograph on the
left, taken at Beechland House and stuck into Nurse Oliver's album, seated on the far left with his legs crossed. His entry in her album is a copy of a popular postcard of the
time, under which he added the following text:
Tpr G S Hicks 2367
3rd/1st Beds Yeomanry
16/5/16
G S Hicks
Jeweller
Marefair
Northampton
George was born in Leamington Spa,
Warwickshire in 1886 or 1887. He appears on the 1891 census of England and Wales living with his family at 7a Marefair, Northampton. The family comprised: George Hicks (head, married, aged 30, running his own business as a watchmaker and
jeweller), his wife Hannah Hicks (aged 34) and two children: George (aged four) and Horace R Hicks (aged one). The two Georges had been born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire; Hannah had been born in Buttenhall, Warwickshire. Horace’s place of birth is recorded as Northampton so it seems
probable that the family moved from Leamington to Spa to Northampton at some time between 1886/7 and 1889/90. Kelly’s
Directory of Northamptonshire for 1890 notes George Hicks, Watch Maker and Jeweller, at 7a Marefair.
The 1901 census gives a different
address – 7b Marefair – and George junior is recorded as George S. His
father’s occupation is noted as “watchmaker”.
I have been unable to find a medal
index card for George Hicks and it seems likely that he did not serve overseas. It
would appear from the entry in Nurse Oliver’s album that he had taken over the family business, or was at least working
for his father as a jeweller, and Kelly’s Directory of Northamptonshire for 1914 notes that the business is still at
Marefair, giving the address this time as “7 Marefair”.
The 3/1st Beds Yeomanry was formed in 1915 and juding by George's
number, he enlisted in January or early February 1916. The 3/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry were at Maresfield Camp,
near Chailey from April 1916, so it would appear that George either suffered an illness or injury whilst at camp.
The 3/1st remained in the United
Kingdom until July 1917,
when it was absorbed into the 1st Reserve Cavalry Regiment.
Sources and Acknowledgements
- 1891 Census of England and Wales
- 1901 Census of England and Wales
- Kelly’s Directory of Northamptonshire 1890
- Kelly’s Directory of Northamptonshire 1914
- David Doorne for information regarding George Hicks's service number and the 3/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry in general
