Veterans of the Great War, mustered at Loftus War Memorial. Many are still young men with memories still fresh of the horror they endured, as they honour fallen comrades. Several wear the 1914/15 Star, meaning they served as volunteers. Norman Patton tells us: ”One lady who was definitely at this parade was Elizabeth Ann Hicks, wife of the late William Hicks, of 29 Tees Street, Loftus. They had two sons who went ’Missing in Action’ in World War I. They were William Arthur: remembered at the Menin Gate and Charles Edwin: remembered at Thiepval. Both are also remembered on the memorial at Loftus. Elizabeth had a daughter, Alice May Hicks, who served with the Military Nursing Service in Egypt during the same war. She met and fell in love with Thomas Brooke Stanley who had been injured while fighting with the 10th Australian Light Horse Infantry at Hill 60 in Gallipoli, where he was decorated for his bravery. After the war ended, Tom came to Loftus to seek permission to marry Alice. She followed him back to Australia where they married and settled in Brunswick Junction, Western Australia; and together they became successful farmers. Elizabeth Ann Hicks and her family had made huge sacrifices in that war. She was my great grandmother.” “We Shall Remember Them.” Norman further advised: “My great grand mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Ann Cammell. She was the daughter of Michael who was a veterinary who practiced in Sculcoates near Hull. Ann married William Hicks who’s parents had farmed at Forresters Lodge in Little Fryup Dale. William was a time served carpenter and Ann was a milliner and dressmaker who spent most of her life assisting her brother Charles Cammell and his wife Albina who had the business next to the Golden Lion in the market place. Charles and his family lived at 6 Zetland Terrace.”
Thelma reports: “Charles Edwin Hicks was my grandfather and I have been researching our family tree and am thrilled to get some more information about great grandparents. We have a photograph of my Grandfather and are checking out his war records. We were always told he was killed by a sniper whilst delivering a message. He was a good runner. I have recently been contacted by relatives in Australia keen for information so will pass on the news his sister also emigrated to Australia.”
Image courtesy of Alan Richardson; many thanks to Norman Patton and Thelma for the supporting information.
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