Private John Edward Hicks
2nd Battalion, Royal Guernsey Light Infantry
(Formerly Gunner 59649 Royal Horse Artillery & Royal Garrison Artillery)

1914-15 Star

Discharge Badge no.140182

Born in 1899 at St Peter Port, Guernsey.

This is my late father, John Edward Hicks. His parents were Leah Elizabeth Hicks née Phillips and John Edward Hicks of 45 Longstone. St. Peter Port, Guernsey.

He enlisted in to the Royal Horse Artillery in Guernsey on 7 January 1915, aged 15 years, after lying about his age

John finally went to France 4 September 1915 . He ended up in the battle of the Somme but this time he was under the command of Lucknow Cavalry. On the 20 July 1916 his section of two guns went into action at position about 1000 yards south west of Longueval where his gun was taken into a forward position to assist an attack carried out by the 51st Highland Division at Delville Wood and High Wood .
In fetching ammunition forward from dumps, in the rear, John was hit. He had just turned 16 years old.
Transferred to the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, he served in Guernsey