Name
Francis Henry Hickman
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/12/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
1949
Hertfordshire Yeomanry
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BELLS HILL BURIAL GROUND
Plot E.3. Grave 298.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Hertfordshire Yeomanry Memorial, St Albans Cathedral, Chipping Barnet Memorial, Chipping Barnet, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School Memorial, Chipping Barnet, Christ Church Parish Bells Plaque, Chipping Barnet
Pre War
Francis Henry was born on 10 Jul 1889 in Paddington, London to Henry Thomas Hickman, a railway accountant, and Annie (nee Hills). The family were living at 169, Ashmore Road, Paddington. On the 1901 Census the family were now living at 94, Salisbury Road, South Mimms and Francis now had a younger brother Albert William (born 1891) and twin sisters Ethel Marion and Margaret Muriel (born 1895).
He was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School Memorial, Chipping Barnet and in the 1911 Census the family were living at Northleigh, Firzjohn’s Avenue, Barnet. Francis was listed as a clerk at a Printer’s engineer.
Francis married Alice Lucy Pingree in 1912 in Barnet and was a bell ringer at Christ Church.
Wartime Service
Francis enlisted in Hertfordshire Yeomanry. His service number (1949) seems to have been allocated in Sep 1914 and posted to 2/1 Battalion which had been formed in Sep 1914 for Home Service.
His death was a tragedy. The squadron was at the range for target practice and Francis was accidentally shot and died instantly. It was noted that "The sad affair caused a painful impression among the victim's comrades, among whom he was very popular".
His soldier’s Effects records his death as following an accident on the ranges at Westerham, Kent. He died from wounds in Barnet War Hospital. His final rank was Acting Sergeant.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £9 and arrears of £3 12s 8d was paid to his widow. Brother Albert William joined Royal Navy on 26 Dec 1910 for 12 years service as a carpenter /Joiner. He served until 14 Oct 1919.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
