Arthur Hickling, 64378 Driver in the RFA Royal Field Artillery

[ATNOMIS]

Pals

 

Arthur Hickling, 64378 and was a Driver in the RFA Royal Field Artillery. Medal Index Card says he embarked France 20th July 1915. Awarded 1914-15 Star, BWM and Vic.

Any other details would be great

 

Arthur's sons. Kenneth Hickling. He was on board the Geranium as part of the Atlantic Convoy.

 

[MaxD]

You are probably aware that his service record seems to have been among the 60% or so lost to bombing in WW2 and that his medal record gives no direct clue to his unit.

 

However, looking at the service numbers near to his for men who also entered France on 20 July 1915, I find, from 6 where there are records to be found that identify their unit, that they all belonged to elements of the artillery support of 19th (Western) Division. I find 3 of 86 Brigade, two of 87 Brigade and one of the Div Ammunition Column.

 

This can't be proof positive but on the balance of probabilities I would be confident that he at least started out in one of the brigades or in the ammunition column of 19th Division.  Their war is outlined here:

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/19th-western-division/

 

There are war diaries for the brigades and DAC but as we can't tell which he was in then you might like to look at the diaries of HQ RA of 19th Division although there are a lot of them:

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=commander+artillery+19+division+WO+95

Broken down into rather fewer pieces on Ancestry:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/ukwardiarieswwi/

 

MaxD

 

 

Edited 11 October , 2019 by MaxD

[sadbrewer]

Do you have any idea where the family came from?....or do you know that side of things already?

[ATNOMIS]

Thank you

 

The only further information I have is Kenneth Hickling (Arthurs son), Born 28 June 1924, Nottingham. Mother was Priscilla, 5 Monk St Hill Rd, Nottingham. Port Division Devonport. No. JX416708. He was a submarine detector & involved in the sinking of U-306 in North Atlantic, north of Azores, whilst onboard HMS Geranium.

[sadbrewer]

Arthur married Priscilla Cook Topham in 1910.

In 1911 they lived at 10 Wigley St, Nottingham....Arthur worked for the Council's parks & gardens dept. Priscilla was a lace clipper.

It appears Arthur may have committed suicide in 1926 according to the article from The British Newspaper Archive. 

Edited 11 October , 2019 by sadbrewer