Military History

Embarked Fremantle per ‘Anchises’ A68 for Egypt 2.9.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 8th Reinforcements 16th Battalion.
Ick disembarked at Suez. He was transferred to Alexandria and embarked for Mudros 18.10.1915. He was taken on strength with his unit 23.10.1915, however, he became ill with pleurisy and was hospitalized at the No.3 Australian General Hospital 24.10.1915. He was discharged 18.11.1915 and joined the 16th Bn. at Gallipoli 8.12.1915. The 16th Bn. was evacuated 18th-19th December. Ick and his Unit were sent to Mudros before being transferred to Alexandria 31.12.1915. The 16th Bn. was reorganized during this period in Egypt. It was split with the 48th Bn. to provide experienced soldiers (AWM 16th Battalion). Ick joined the BEF in Alexandria and embarked for France 1.6.1916. He was taken on strength on the Somme and the 16th was immediately engaged at Mouquet Farm 9.8.1916. Ick was wounded on 12.8.1916 during the German counter attack, suffering shell shock. Two thirds of the 16th Bn. were killed or injured at Mouquet Farm (Remembrance Trail). He rejoined his unit 15.8.1916. Ick was promoted to T/ L/Cpl. 21.4.1917. Ick and his Bn. moved to the front Line at Neuve Eglise to reinforce the 15th Bn. Ick was wounded(2nd time) ((AWM War Diaries) 7.8.1917, whilst his Division was advancing on the Hindenburg Line. Ick rejoined his Bn. 10.8.1917. He reverted to Private 5.10.1917. He became sick with debility 26.1.1917. Whilst on leave in October, he married Florence Gertrude Ross 11.1918. Ick marched out for return to England, however, dislocated his elbow 21.2.1919 and was admitted to hospital at Rouen. Ick was demobilized and prepared for his return to Australia.
Embarked Cardiff for Australia per ‘Port Macquarie’ 28.3.1919.
Returned/Disembarked 13.5.1919.
Discharged 13.7.1919.
Final Rank Lance Corporal 16th Battalion Australian Imperial Force (AIF)
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes AWM records name as Ick
Ick's relationship to Guildford and the placement of his name on the St Matthew’s Honour Roll is not clear. It may have arisen through a blood relationship with Mrs. Mollie Beasley (nee Ick) who married Harold Beasley of Guildford. (Sunday Times 1.34.1912). Ick may have stayed for a period  with the Beasley family in Guildford as Mrs Beasley boarded several soldiers during their period of training.
Photos HMAT 'Anchises'. Photographer A.C.Green, photograph sourced and reproduced with permission of Great Southern Cards
             Mouquet Farm 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00005
             Ruins of Neuve Eglise 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H03457
             H.E. Ick. Image source The Sun (Kalgoorlie) 16.9.1917 p3
            

Information Source
AWM E00005. Mouquet Farm 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial AWM Embarkation Roll Henry Edwin Ick
AWM H03457. Ruins of Neuve Eglise 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM 16th Bn. https://www.awm.gov.au/unit/U51456/
AWM4. Australian Imperial Forces War Diaries of the 16th Bn. August 1917. https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/bundled/RCDIG1004813.pdf
Great Southern Cards. HMAT 'Anchises'. Photograph  reproduced and sourced with permission of Great Southern Cards, www.greatsoutherncards.com.au/
NAA: B2455, Ick Henry Edwin
Remembrance Trail http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/pozieres-windmill/aif-memorial-mouquet-farm/mouquet-farm.php
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
Sunday Times
The Sun (Kalgoorlie)






Northam WA.

Associated Images