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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 657

Four: Chief Sick Berth Steward W. J. Hicks, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (350267, W.J. Hicks, Ch. S.B.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (350267 W.J. Hicks. C.S.B.S. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (350267 W.J. Hicks, S.B. Stewd. H.M.S. Formidable:), mounted Court-style for display, good very fine (4)

William John Hicks was born 18 July 1870 at Wandsworth. Enlisting on 1 October 1894, he was promoted Sick Berth Attendant on 4 January 1895. Seeing service aboard Imperieuse, Amphion, and Warspite (the flagship of the Pacific station) Liffey, and Phaeton, he was part of the ships' crew of R.F.A. Maine when she ran aground and was wrecked off the Isle of Mull on 17 June 1914. Next found on the books of the Hospital Ship S.S. Rohilla, after being present during the sinking of the Maine he had the further misfortune to be aboard Rohilla when she too was wrecked, after striking a reef near Whitby whilst transporting wounded soldiers back from the Western Front. During a raging gale and over the course of three days, 146 of the 229 on board were saved - including William Hicks, who must surely have assisted in the evacuation of as many passengers and personnel as possible from the stricken vessel in terrifying circumstances. He may well have had the unfortunate distinction of being the only man working on hospital ships to be wrecked twice in the same year.

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Sold for
£160

Starting price
£60