Lance Corporal and Airman 3rd Class Herbert Thomas Wickes South Lancashire Regiment and RAF
The Man Herbert Thomas Wickes was born on Wednesday 26th February 1873 at 75 Clarendon Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Son of Thomas a Bootmaker and Coal Agent and Martha nee Harper. He was one of six children, George Phillip (1874–1916), Hepzibah Martha (1876–1946), Emily Florence (1880–1898), Sarah Louisa (1882–1959) and Ethel Gladys (1885–1886).
The family lived at the same address at the time of the 1881 and 1891censuses, the latter showing Herbert, aged 18, who had left school, as a Coach Trimmers Apprentice, later following his father and becoming a Bootmaker.
In about 1890 Herbert joined the 2nd Volunteer Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment and on 24th November 1891 attested into the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. He was described as 5’.7½“tall, weighing 117 lbs, a chest of 33”, sallow complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. His religion was Church of England. However following his medical examination the next day, he was deemed ‘unfit’ to join the Army because amongst other things of decayed teeth’. He was discharged on 26th November having served three days.
Not to be deterred, a year later Herbert applied to join and Attested into the South Lancashire Regiment on 4th July 1892 in Warrington. He was now described as 5’.8¼” tall, weighing 119 lbs and his medical examination was this time successful and he was deemed fit. His service number was 3742 and rank a Private.
Herbert appears to have spent time in hospital during the early stages of his army servicer:
He served in the UK until 26th January 1895 when, aged 22 he was posted to India, landing in the country on 18th February where he served for the next 11 years. In 1898 he was permitted to extend his services to complete 13 years with the Colours receiving a bounty of £10.00.
He was hospitalised several times whilst in India, hardly surprising considering the temperature and climate:
He achieved a Third-Class army education Certificate on 15th September 1900 and in 1904 was permitted to re-engage ‘for such term as shall complete 21 years with the Colours’.
Herbert returned to the UK on 9th March 1906 and promoted to paid Lance Corporal on 25th May 1906. On 9th July 1910 aged 37 he was discharged from the Army at his own request after 18 years’ service with a view to a pension. He was awarded a Chelsea Pension number 92010C on 21st July of 10d per diem for life and had served a total of 18 years and 6 months, 11 years and 42 days of which were in India.
His conduct throughout was described as very good and he received four good conduct badges and no medals, not even the Army Long Service and Good Conduct medal. Following his discharge, he initially returned to his parents at 75 Clarendon Street and in the 1911 census is shown as a Shoemaker living at 26 Bedford Street.
During the final quarter of 1912 Herbert married Esther Wyatt in Leamington and in the 1912 Directory is shown as a Boot Repairer at the Bedford Street addres. They had one son, Herbert Wyatt Wickes born on 28th September 1913.
Herbert continued in the boot trade and initially was exempt from service during World War I,that started on 4th August 1914, on account of his age, 41, and previous military service. He was shown in the 1916 directory at 21 Aylesford Street.
In 1918 during the last months of the war, the Military Service (No. 2) Act raised the age limit for conscription to 51 and it was extended until 1920 to enable the army to deal with continuing trouble spots in the Empire and parts of Europe. Herbert aged 45 was no longer exempt and recalled for service into the newly formed Royal Air Force at Coventry on 10th August 1918 with service number 283644 as an Airman 3rd Class.
He saw service in France during the last three months of the war and was transferred to the G Class Reserve - released ex-regular and reserve airmen engaged to serve 'for the present emergency' (the Army equivalent was Class Z) - on 2nd April 1919. He was awarded the 1914-18 British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Herbert became an Insurance Agent working for the Refuge Assurance Company in later life and his pension was periodically increased, he received 2/- 9½d a day (approx. £51.00 a year equivalent to £4051.00 in 2022) from 4th March 1938 when he reached 65 and retired. Herbert, Esther and Herbert junior later lived at 5 Wood Street, Leamington, this being recorded in the 1939 Register.
Herbert passed away on Sunday 8th February 1942 aged 68 at Wood Street with Esther present at his death. His cause of death was given as Bronchitis and Myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscles. He left no will but probate was granted to Esther and he left £513.00 (approximately £28,600.00 in 2022).
The local press, The Courier published his obituary: MR. H. T, WICKES. The funeral of Mr. Herbert Thomas Wickes, who died his residence. 5. Wood Street. Leamington, on Sunday, at the age 68 years* took place in Leamington Cemetery Canon G. C. Rolfe (Vicar of All Saints*) officiated- The mourners who attended were:— Mrs. K Wickes (widow). Mr. H. W. Wickes (son). Mrs. A. M. Loveland and Mrs. Ward (sisters). Mrs. S. Salmon (sister-inlaw), and Mr. H. Salmon (brother-in-law). Among others present in the church were: and Mrs, T. Mrs. Pope. Mr. Mackness (Superintendent for the Refuge Assurance Co.). Mr. Dully (Assist. Superintendent. Stratford-on-Avon Branch), Mr. Madge, and Miss Valentine. Floral tributes were sent by:—His loving wife and son Bert: Annie. Louie. Hilda and Walter; The Management. Savings Club and Customers at Warwick Arms; Mrs. and Mr. Gould; the Divisional Inspector and his old colleagues of the Refuge Assurance Co. Ltd.. Leamington Spa Branch; Sister Heps and niece Vera (Wolverhampton); Cis. Harry and the boys; Mr. and Mrs. Toon and family; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Dougherty; Mr. and Mrs. T. E. and Mrs K. Hyam; Mr. Slater. Elsie and Cert; and Dora —The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. W. G. Rathbone. of Clarendon Avenue.
Herbert junior passed away in October 1973 aged just 60 and Esther on 13th June 1977, 35 years after Herbert aged 90 she was living at Castle Foma, Midland Counties Home, 93 Lillington Road, Leamington.
The family lived at the same address at the time of the 1881 and 1891censuses, the latter showing Herbert, aged 18, who had left school, as a Coach Trimmers Apprentice, later following his father and becoming a Bootmaker.
In about 1890 Herbert joined the 2nd Volunteer Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment and on 24th November 1891 attested into the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. He was described as 5’.7½“tall, weighing 117 lbs, a chest of 33”, sallow complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. His religion was Church of England. However following his medical examination the next day, he was deemed ‘unfit’ to join the Army because amongst other things of decayed teeth’. He was discharged on 26th November having served three days.
Not to be deterred, a year later Herbert applied to join and Attested into the South Lancashire Regiment on 4th July 1892 in Warrington. He was now described as 5’.8¼” tall, weighing 119 lbs and his medical examination was this time successful and he was deemed fit. His service number was 3742 and rank a Private.
Herbert appears to have spent time in hospital during the early stages of his army servicer:
- 6th – 24th September 1892 - ulcer on his penis
- 4th-15th October 1892 - same complaint
- 26th November – 3rd December - Chill and sore throat
- 30th December – 8th January 1893 – Syphilis
He served in the UK until 26th January 1895 when, aged 22 he was posted to India, landing in the country on 18th February where he served for the next 11 years. In 1898 he was permitted to extend his services to complete 13 years with the Colours receiving a bounty of £10.00.
He was hospitalised several times whilst in India, hardly surprising considering the temperature and climate:
- 12th – 26th October 1897 – Ague (Malaria)
- 21st May – 26th July 1898 – Remittent Fever
- 1st – 17th August 1898 – Debility
- 26th April – 4th May 1900 – Contagious disease
- 6th – 17th July 1901 – Boils
- 30th November – 17th December 1901 – Ague (Malaria) severe infection
- 20th – 28th May 1902 – sprained ankle. On 16th August a court of Enquiry took place regarding the cause, which was ‘as a result of an accident not on duty’.
He achieved a Third-Class army education Certificate on 15th September 1900 and in 1904 was permitted to re-engage ‘for such term as shall complete 21 years with the Colours’.
Herbert returned to the UK on 9th March 1906 and promoted to paid Lance Corporal on 25th May 1906. On 9th July 1910 aged 37 he was discharged from the Army at his own request after 18 years’ service with a view to a pension. He was awarded a Chelsea Pension number 92010C on 21st July of 10d per diem for life and had served a total of 18 years and 6 months, 11 years and 42 days of which were in India.
His conduct throughout was described as very good and he received four good conduct badges and no medals, not even the Army Long Service and Good Conduct medal. Following his discharge, he initially returned to his parents at 75 Clarendon Street and in the 1911 census is shown as a Shoemaker living at 26 Bedford Street.
During the final quarter of 1912 Herbert married Esther Wyatt in Leamington and in the 1912 Directory is shown as a Boot Repairer at the Bedford Street addres. They had one son, Herbert Wyatt Wickes born on 28th September 1913.
Herbert continued in the boot trade and initially was exempt from service during World War I,that started on 4th August 1914, on account of his age, 41, and previous military service. He was shown in the 1916 directory at 21 Aylesford Street.
In 1918 during the last months of the war, the Military Service (No. 2) Act raised the age limit for conscription to 51 and it was extended until 1920 to enable the army to deal with continuing trouble spots in the Empire and parts of Europe. Herbert aged 45 was no longer exempt and recalled for service into the newly formed Royal Air Force at Coventry on 10th August 1918 with service number 283644 as an Airman 3rd Class.
He saw service in France during the last three months of the war and was transferred to the G Class Reserve - released ex-regular and reserve airmen engaged to serve 'for the present emergency' (the Army equivalent was Class Z) - on 2nd April 1919. He was awarded the 1914-18 British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Herbert became an Insurance Agent working for the Refuge Assurance Company in later life and his pension was periodically increased, he received 2/- 9½d a day (approx. £51.00 a year equivalent to £4051.00 in 2022) from 4th March 1938 when he reached 65 and retired. Herbert, Esther and Herbert junior later lived at 5 Wood Street, Leamington, this being recorded in the 1939 Register.
Herbert passed away on Sunday 8th February 1942 aged 68 at Wood Street with Esther present at his death. His cause of death was given as Bronchitis and Myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscles. He left no will but probate was granted to Esther and he left £513.00 (approximately £28,600.00 in 2022).
The local press, The Courier published his obituary: MR. H. T, WICKES. The funeral of Mr. Herbert Thomas Wickes, who died his residence. 5. Wood Street. Leamington, on Sunday, at the age 68 years* took place in Leamington Cemetery Canon G. C. Rolfe (Vicar of All Saints*) officiated- The mourners who attended were:— Mrs. K Wickes (widow). Mr. H. W. Wickes (son). Mrs. A. M. Loveland and Mrs. Ward (sisters). Mrs. S. Salmon (sister-inlaw), and Mr. H. Salmon (brother-in-law). Among others present in the church were: and Mrs, T. Mrs. Pope. Mr. Mackness (Superintendent for the Refuge Assurance Co.). Mr. Dully (Assist. Superintendent. Stratford-on-Avon Branch), Mr. Madge, and Miss Valentine. Floral tributes were sent by:—His loving wife and son Bert: Annie. Louie. Hilda and Walter; The Management. Savings Club and Customers at Warwick Arms; Mrs. and Mr. Gould; the Divisional Inspector and his old colleagues of the Refuge Assurance Co. Ltd.. Leamington Spa Branch; Sister Heps and niece Vera (Wolverhampton); Cis. Harry and the boys; Mr. and Mrs. Toon and family; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Dougherty; Mr. and Mrs. T. E. and Mrs K. Hyam; Mr. Slater. Elsie and Cert; and Dora —The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. W. G. Rathbone. of Clarendon Avenue.
Herbert junior passed away in October 1973 aged just 60 and Esther on 13th June 1977, 35 years after Herbert aged 90 she was living at Castle Foma, Midland Counties Home, 93 Lillington Road, Leamington.
The Story The medal pair awarded to Herbert Thomas Wickes were bought on impulse from Dave Seeney at a Birmingham Medal Society meeting on 1st December 2022. The reason for the acquisition was that the recipient was born in Leamington Spa.
Dave provided some very basic information with the medals and it was assumed there would be minimal additional detail available. However, it was quickly revealed that Herbert’s pre–World War I service papers from his time in the South Lancashire Regiment were all available on Ancestry.UK, together with his RAF papers from WWI.
Apart from the fact Herbert, lived all his life in Leamington Spa, the papers showed he had served 18 years in the Army, 11 of which were in India. He retired in 1910 before being called up a second time aged 45 in August 1918 to the Royal Air Force, seeing service in France during the last three months of the war.
His Army papers confirmed he was awarded no medals for his 18 years but was awarded the World War I pair for his RAF service. Ancestry.UK enabled a detailed biography to be pieced together. An incredible story of an interesting life and long regular service in the Army, only to receive two, well earnt medals, for service in the last 12 weeks of World War I.
Dave provided some very basic information with the medals and it was assumed there would be minimal additional detail available. However, it was quickly revealed that Herbert’s pre–World War I service papers from his time in the South Lancashire Regiment were all available on Ancestry.UK, together with his RAF papers from WWI.
Apart from the fact Herbert, lived all his life in Leamington Spa, the papers showed he had served 18 years in the Army, 11 of which were in India. He retired in 1910 before being called up a second time aged 45 in August 1918 to the Royal Air Force, seeing service in France during the last three months of the war.
His Army papers confirmed he was awarded no medals for his 18 years but was awarded the World War I pair for his RAF service. Ancestry.UK enabled a detailed biography to be pieced together. An incredible story of an interesting life and long regular service in the Army, only to receive two, well earnt medals, for service in the last 12 weeks of World War I.
Medal Details
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 283644 3.A.M. H.T.WICKES. R.A.F.
- Victory Medal: 283644 3.A.M. H.T.WICKES. R.A.F.
Page last updated 12 Dec 22
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