Private
Francis Hayward WICKS
Infantry
Died: 1st November 1918 - Age: 27

Commemorated:

1. Memorial:Woodbridge CemeteryG. 6. 83 Ipswich
2. Book:The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918Pg.138
3. Memorial:The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour2C GQS
    

Awards & Titles:

 

Family :

Francis Hayward Wicks was born in Buffalo, New York State, in 1892. It is believed that his parents were English but not known if they ever returned to this country.

Husband of Kathleen M. Wicks, of Suffolk House, 4, Ipswich Rd., Woodbridge.

Legend courtesy of W.Bro. Rod Gibson (Suffolk)

Service Life:

Campaigns:

Unit / Ship / Est.: 28th Battalion London Regiment (Artists' Rifles) 

1/28th (County of London) Battalion (Artist's Rifles) August 1914 : at Dukes Road, Euston Road. Army Troops attached to 2nd London Division. Moved on mobilisation to St Albans area. 28 October 1914 : left Division and moved to France. Established as an Officers Training Corps based at Bailleul, going in April 1915 to St Omer. 28 June 1917 : transferred to 190th Brigade in 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.

Action : No Data 

No Data has been recorded for the final action, because none has yet been found. If you have any information to offer, please contact the Project Team so we can add.

Pte. Francis Hayward Wicks, 28th Bn. London Regt., (Artists Rifles) Died 1st November 1918, Military Hospital, Warley, Essex. Age 27. Commemorated: Woodbridge Cemetery. Ref: G. 6. 83. He was initiated on 11th February 1914, age 22. His occupation given as Bank Clerk. He attended the Lodge in May 1918 in the office of Junior Deacon. His death is recorded in the Lodge Minutes of November 1918, a letter of condolence having been sent to his widow. Francis Hayward Wicks was born in Buffalo, New York State, in 1892. I believe that his parents were English but don't know if they ever returned to this country. Unfortunately, his service records didn't survive the WW2 blitz, but he doesn't appear to have ever gone overseas. He married Kathleen Mary Fairweather, the daughter of Arthur Fairweather a Letterpress Printer and Stationer in business in Framlingham in the 3rd quarter of 1918. His Probate notice shows his regiment as 2nd Artists Rifles Cadet O.T.C. So he may have become ill whilst undergoing officer training. He left a total of £579 7s 9d to his widow.

Detail :

28th Bn. London Regt., (Artists Rifles) Died 1st November 1918, Military notice shows his regiment as 2nd Artists Rifles Cadet O.T.C. So he may have become ill whilst undergoing officer training.

Masonic :

TypeLodge Name and No.Province/District :
Mother : Doric No. 81 E.C.Suffolk
Joined : Royal Saint Edmunds No. 1008 E.C. Suffolk

Initiated
Passed
Raised
11th February 1914
11th March 1914
8th April 1914
 

On the 14th of January 1914 Francis F. Wicks was installed as Worshipful Master of Doric Lodge No 81. W.Bro F.F. Wicks was initiated in 1905. Following his Installation he proposed and Bro W.G. Gledhill (JW) seconded; Mr. Francis Hayward WICKS aged 22 years, a Bank Clerk residing in Woodbridge as a Candidate for freemasonry.
(There isn't any record as to whether F.F. Wicks & F.H. Wicks were related but it seems possible and FH Wicks may have been named after his father or an uncle).
On the 11th February 1914, F.H. Wicks & an Alfred Sansom were balloted and Initiated into Doric Lodge on the same evening. The Broken Column amounted to 10 shillings (50p) and the members retired to the Bull Hotel for Supper.
On the 11th March 1914, Bro Wicks & Sansom were passed to the second degree and a Mr F Bell was initiated. At the same meeting, Bro GL Zissell proposed and Bro C Castell seconded; Mr John Coupar MYERS aged 39, a professional male nurse and masseur residing at Glevering Park.
On the 8th April 1914, Bro Wicks & Sansom were raised to the third degree. At the same meeting, JC Myers was balloted for and subsequently initiated. The following month on 13th May 1914, Bro Wicks was present at the meeting when Bro Myers was passed to the second degree. It therefore follows that Bro FH Wicks & Bro JC Myers knew or were acquainted with each other. At the meeting on the 10th June 1914, Bro Wicks sent apologies but Bro Myers was raised to the third degree.
At the meeting of 9th September 1914, Bro Wicks received his Grand Lodge Certificate.
Bro Wicks appears to be a regular attendee at the meetings for the remainder of 1914. In 1915 he heard the proposal of Mr John Ridley Prentice on 10th February and saw him initiated on 10th March 1915. Bro Myers does not appear to have been present but again it follows that Bro Wicks knew or was acquainted with JR Prentice.
He remains a regular attendee and at the Installation Meeting on 12th January 1916, he was appointed as a Lodge Steward. At the next Installation Meeting on 10th January 1917, he was re-appointed a Steward but his attendance is less frequent. However on the 9th of January 1918, he is appointed to the Office of Junior Deacon. He attends the next few meeting but on the 12th June 1918, he sends an apology. At this particular meeting it is announce that Bro John Coupar MYERS had been killed in action.

Joining member of Royal St Edmunds Lodge No. 1008 on the 24th May 1917

Source :

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Additional Source:

Last Updated: 2017-06-17 09:09:29