Military History

Embarked Fremantle ‘Hororata’ 1.10.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 9th Reinf, 12th Battalion, AIF.
Wicks disembarked with the 9th Reinf. 12th Battalion at Suez. He then marched in to Cairo for intensive training. Wicks and his Unit were taken on strength with 12th Battalion at Zietoun ex Cairo 9.1.1916. Following the evacuation from Gallipoli, the AIF underwent reorganization with the ‘doubling’ of recruits. The 52nd Battalion, 13th Brigade was raised at Tel-el-Kebir 1.3.1916. Wicks was transferred to the new 52nd Battalion 1.3.1916. He was promoted to L/Cpl 29.4.1916 and then Corp. 18.8.1916. Wicks and his unit entrained for Alexandria, joined the BEF and embarked per ‘Princess Victoria’ for France 5.6.1916. He disembarked at Marseilles 12.6.1916. Wicks was wounded in action at Mouquet Farm with a GSW to his left shoulder 4.9.1916. In this battle the 52nd Battalion lost 50% of its fighting force to injuries or death either (AWM 52nd Battalion). He was transferred by H.S ‘Jan Breydel’ to UK and admitted to the 3rd Southern General Hospital 8.9.1916. Wicks was awarded a Military Medal for his actions 21.10.1916. He rejoined his Unit 22.12.1916 and fought in the trenches during the harsh winter of 1916-17. Wicks was promoted to rank of Sergeant 13.2 1917. In April he was hospitalized with influenza 8.4.1917, then with suspected enteric fever 28.6.1917. Wicks was awarded the Military Cross 10.5.1918 for conspicuous gallantry at Dernacourt 1918 (Gazetted 26.7.1918). He marched in to Hurdcott for return to Australia 9.4.1919.
Embarked UK per HT ‘Bremen’. for Australia 4.6.1919 (also cited as 4.8.1919)
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 15.7.1919 (WAN 2.7.1919)
Discharged Appointment terminated.
Final Rank Lieutenant. 52nd Battalion. M.M., M.C.
Medical Condition NK
Awards and Medals Military Medal, Military Cross,1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Military Medal recommendation for  work in  disabling German Machine Gun Crew at Mouquet Farm.
Military Cross Citation
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while acting as a Bn. Signals officer. Under heavy artillery fire he superintended the repairing of telephone ground lines between HQ and the companies. Whilst so employed he organized a party of men of various units and led them to support the left flank of a company that was holding up a strong enemy attack. The ground over which he travelled was exposed to heavy Artillery fire and severe machine gun fire. He remained in charge of this party until it was possible for an Officer to relieve him. By his splendid example he did inspire all his men.'
(AWM Honours and Awards)

Photos Camp Chronicle 18.7.1918 p6. SLWA
             HMAT 'Hororata' at Port Melbourne 1915. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB0437
             AWM E00564. View of the old Mouquet Farm Battlefield December 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
             Dernancourt, the Amiens-Albert railway, scene of battle in April 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E03794
             Lieut E. Wicks MM. Camp Chronicle Midland 18.7.1918 p6 

Information Source
AWM PB0437. HMAT 'Hororata' at Port Melbourne 1915. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00564. View of the old Mouquet Farm Battlefield December 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E03794. Dernancourt, the Amiens-Albert railway, scene of battle in April 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM 52nd Battalion
AWM Embarkation Roll Ernest Wicks
AWM Honours and Awards Ernest Wicks
Camp Chronicle (Midland) sourced SLWA
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455 Wicks Ernest
West Australian Newspaper



Perth Road, West Guildford, WA.

Associated Images