©2017 Geoff Wicks
This webpage contains 3rd party copyright material and may not be copied.
It is an edited version of a page on the family history CD in which recent family history and details of living and recently deceased persons have been removed.
Distribution of the surname Wicks in the 1881 census. On the left the actual totals; on the right the density per 100,000.
The surname Wicks comes from an Old English word "wic" originally meaning a place but eventually a settlement. It survives in place names like Gatwick and Prestwick, but also in Norwich and Ispwich. More specifically it came to mean a (dairy) farm. There are many spelling variations such as Weeks, Wyke and Wix. The spelling "Wicks" is concentrated in Berkshire and Wiltshire.
Click for text tree of the Wicks family.
Early years
The WICKS family can be traced back to the 18th century with the earliest confirmed date being 1757.
At the time the family were living in the Wiltshire parishes of Lydiard Millicent and Lydiard Tregoze on the outskirts of present day Swindon. Both parishes have detailed registers. The earliest reference in Lydiard Millicent is to a marriage of Wm. WICKES in 1741, and in Lydiard Tregoze to the baptism of Jane WICKS in 1715, but it is uncertain if they are related to the later WICKS families who lived in the area from about 1750 to 1850. Before 1800 the spelling of the name is inconsistent, and in the registers the spellings WEKES, WIX, WEEKS and WEEKES can be found.
On 24th October 1757 William Wicks was baptised in Lydiard Millicent. His parents were John and Hannah and they had two other children, Jane baptised in Lydiard Millicent on 1st October 1754 and Thomas (Weekes) baptised in Lydiard Tregoze on 26th June 1752. John and Hannah had two further children, Mary baptised on 21st October 1759 and Sarah baptised on 17th May 1761. A systematic search of most parish registers within reasonable distance of Lydiard Millicent has failed to provide any information of the origins of John and Hannah or of Hannah's maiden name.
Tragedy
Tragedy appears to have hit the family in the 1760's. Hannah died shortly after the birth of Sarah and was buried on 1st June 1761. John remarried an Ann Hinder on 17th December 1763, by whom he had a daughter, Ann. She was twice baptised, in private on 20th October 1764 and in public on 21st October 1764. John died the following year and was buried on 17th October 1765.
William Wicks married Martha Bond on 17th March 1783 in Kingston Lisle, Berkshire, a settlement about 20 miles from Lydiard Millicent. They had 5 children John (1785), Thomas (1787), George (1789), Harriot (1792) and Charlotte (1796). William died at the age of 48 and was buried on 10th December 1805, but Martha lived to be 79 and was buried on 30th September 1835.
Reprint of early Ordance Survey map.
Lydiard Millicent Church and former Lydiard Millicent houses.
19th Century
John Wicks married Mary Trotman from a Wootton Bassett family in 1807. In the early 1800s the family played an important place in village life, and, from the names of witnesses at weddings, they appear to have had close contacts with two influential farming families in the area, the Hinders and the Kibblewhites. By profession John was a carpenter, or more specifically a wheelwright. At least two of John's sons and a grandson joined him in the trade, and the family business is mentioned in the Post Office Directory of Dorset and Wiltshire 1849.
John and Mary had 8 children, 3 boys and 5 girls, including two sets of twins. On 22nd November 1811 Richard and Ann were baptised in Malmesbury Abbey and Mary and Martha baptised on 26th May 1822 in Lydiard Millicent. All the indications are that it was a close knit and mutually supportive family.
Illegitimacy is a theme of the Wicks family. All of John and Mary's daughters and at least one of their sons had illegitimate children. In the case of the daughters the parish registers of Lydiard Millicent and Lydiard Tregoze refer to there being no father, but there is no reference to any of the children in the bastardy records of the area. This would indicate there was no putative father, but that the children were not a financial burden on the parish. There appears to have been no stigma to the illegitimacy. The children were either cared for by their mothers or by the extended family. There is, however, some evidence that the illegitimate daughters of Mary Wicks, daughter of John and Mary, invented fathers for their marriage certificate.
In Service
Lydiard House, ancient (1846?) and modern and Lydiard Tregoze church.
| From "The
Illustrated Portrait of Wiltshire": "The Tregoze family, whose name was added to that of Lydiard to distinguish it from the adjoining parish of Lydiard Millicent, came from a village in Normandy called Troisgots and settled here in the twelfth century. Soon they began playing an important part in the government of Wiltshire. It is not known exactly when a house was first built on this site, but by the middle of the fifteenth century the estate passed via the female line to the St. Johns, who were to hold it for the next 500 years. This family certainly rebuilt a mansion, and this came to be used as a holiday home or a place to which to send their children whenever they were ill; the estate was also a source of country produce which helped to stock their larders at Battersea wherein the St. Johns' chief interests lay.A viscountcy was created in 1716 but gradually less and less attention was paid to Lydiard Tregoze, and by the middle of the last century the place was going rapidly downhill; no money was being spent on the estate or the mansion, and it is said that the then Viscountess Bolingbroke and her son moved from room to room as the ceilings fell down in each." |
In the second half of the nineteenth century the members of the Wicks families were often employed as servants, including at Lydiard Park, a country house of the St. John/Bolingbroke family. There are many references to them receiving prizes at the Wootton Bassett Hiring Fair for their achievements as servants. One of John's daughters, Martha, received no fewer than 5 prizes for her work as a Dairy Maid.
John's wife, Mary, died of hydrothorax of one year standing on 27th December 1851 and was buried in Lydiard Millicent on 27th January 1852. John died of chronic bronchitis on 20th January 1864. At the time he was living in Swindon with his daughter, Martha.
John's eldest son, Richard, fathered an illegitimate son, also called Richard, by Elizabeth Taylor, the illegitimate daughter of Sarah Taylor, who later married a shoemaker, Thomas Church. Richard jnr. was baptised as Richard Wicks Taylor on 13th April 1834 although in later documents his birth date is given as 1st June 1834. Richard and Elizabeth married when Richard Jnr. was 4 years old. They had one other child, Isabella, baptised on 25th August 1839.
Richard Wicks Jnr. is a significant figure in the history of the WICKS family. By the age of 17 he was working as a footman at Lydiard Park. When he was 20 he joined the marines, enlisting in 1854 as an illiterate country boy. He was discharged in 1875 as a literate corporal first class with an exemplary service record and five good conduct badges. In 1855 and 1858, while serving on HMS Teazer, he saw action in the Gold Coast, now known as Sierra Leonne. This action was largely related to the opposition of African warlords and chieftans to the ending of the slave trade.
During Richard's absence from the village changes were taking place in Lydiard Millicent. In the 1851 census 5 Wicks families are recorded in the village, in 1861 4, in 1871 4, in 1881 3 and in 1891 2. The numbers rose to 3 in 1901 and there is evidence that some descendants still live in the parish. By 1871 William Wicks, John's second son, was the only carpenter remaining in the village, and the 1865 Kelly's Directory names him as running the family business.
Sometime in the 1860s Richard Snr. and Elizabeth moved from Lydiard Millicent to Little Faringdon in Oxfordshire. In the 1871 census Richard Snr is recorded as being a Gamekeeper living in Hulse's Grounds, an 87 acre estate with a arable, pasture and gorse land. The Oxford Journal dated 25th March 1871 reports a failed prosecution by Richard of poachers. In 1881 the family were living in Langford, Oxfordshire and Richard is again listed as a carpenter. In the same year the cottage where he lived was advertised for sale.
A failed prosecution and the sale of the cottage
On 19th April 1868, when the family were living in Little Faringdon, Isabella gave birth to an illegitimate daughter, Ann, also known as Annie. Nothing is known of the father. Isabella died of a lumbar abscess on 2nd June 1868, and Ann was brought up by her grandparents.
Chesterfield
From 1863 to 1867 Richard Jnr. was based on shore, and for a time was in Chesterfield. He made a servant girl, Alice Marsh, 10 years his younger, pregnant and married her on 20th April 1864. Alice was illiterate at the time of the marriage.
Alice's father, John Marsh, came from Stone, Staffordshire and her mother, Hannah or Ann, from Retford in Nottinghamshire. John Marsh was probably a self made man, who was brought up in a Methodist family. His occupation is variously recorded as a labourer, builder and property owner. There is also a reference to a John Marsh as a Shopkeeper in Saltergate, Chesterfield in an 1876 trade directory of Derbyshire.
Richard and Alice lived for a time in Plymouth, but after his discharge from the marines they settled in Chesterfield. In the 1891 Kelly's directory of Derbyshire, Richard is named as a fish merchant in the Shambles. (He is reputed to be one of the people who introduced the potato chip to Chesterfield.) Richard and Alice had a large family of 12 children, although at least five, one male and four female, died in infancy. His eldest son died in his 20s. Another son, Walter, was politically active for the Labour party and became a a councillor, alderman and JP. Walter was mayor of Chesterfield 1940 - 1941.
The Shambles at the time of Richard's fish business and entry in Kelly's directory 1891.
Derbyshire Times 13th November 1895 and 18th October 1899
Kelly's directory 1941 showing Walter Wicks as alderman and magistrate.
Two news reports in the Derbyshire Times refer to Richard's misdemeanours. In 1887 he was fined 10 shillings with costs for riding a lame horse from Chesterfield to Bakewell and in 1897 he was fined 10 shillings with costs for not having a dog licence.
Derbyshire Courier 15th October 1887 and Derbyshire Times 13th October 1897
The 1891 census records the family as living in Pond Houses, but they seem to have moved frequently from house to house. In other documents addresses are given in Butchers Court, Brampton (1875), West Barrs (1881) and Wheeldon Lane (1893). Residing with the family in 1891 were Richard's parents, now in their 80s, and their granddaughter, Annie. The parents both died in Chesterfield the same year. Richard Snr. of heart disease on 22nd April and Elizabeth of heart disease and bronchitis on 2nd May. Richard jnr. died of heart disease on 1st February 1900 and Alice of cardiac failure and senility on 12 August 1930.
On 17th April 1893 Annie, daughter of Isabella, married her first cousin, Thomas Wicks, son of Richard. Their wedding certificate must be one of the most unusual in the Registry Office as every person named on it, with the exception of the Rector conducting the service, is surnamed Wicks. Thomas and Annie were married for 61 years and on the occasion of their diamond jubilee received a telegram from the Queen. They were also featured on the front page of the Derbyshire Times.
20th Century
Thomas and Annie, 24 Dickenson Road today and the Wicks family heirloom, Thomas' pocket watch.
Thomas and Annie had four children Florrie, Thomas, Agnes and Richard. Agnes died in 1915. Thomas Snr. died of cardiovascular degeneration and hypertension on 26th January 1957 aged 84 and Annie of bronchopneumonia and senility on 25th August 1954 aged 86.
Thomas was employed as a banksman at Grassmoor Colliery for 54 years. His eldest son, Thomas, was working underground as a labourer at the age of 14.
On 13th June 1917 Thomas, married Hannah Wood, daughter of John George Wood, who stemmed from a Cheshire family of cotton workers, and Harriet Haywood, the daughter of a local publican. Thomas served in the Army during the First World War and fought in the trenches. Although he had enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters in December 1915, he was not called up until April 1918. His army disciplinary record shows an offence in June of attempting to break into camp at 10.20 p.m. and for overstaying leave in July. For the latter he forfeited 3 days pay. In August Thomas was posted to Northern France on the day that his first child was born and compulsory transferred to the East Kent Regiment, "The Buffs".
He arrived at the front on 15th August, where his active service was short but fierce. In Spring 1918 a German offensive had driven back allied troops and the city of Amiens was in danger of falling. The allied counter attack began in early August and centred around the town of Albert. When Thomas reached the front his company was based at Lavieville and later moved to Millencourt. The fiercest fighting took place on 22nd August 1918 when the Buffs played a vital role, but suffered heavy casualties, in crossing the river Ancre and retaking Albert. From then on the advance proceeded smoothly to Beaucourt on 24th August and Montauban on 26th August. This was a successful day for the company, which took 50 prisoners and captured 4 machine guns, but the end of front line service for Thomas, who was shot in the leg fracturing his thigh. He was transferred to hospital in Rouen on 28th August and to England on 7th September, where he was admitted to the 3rd Southern General Hospital in Oxford. He was finally discharged from the army as being medically unfit for service on 3rd May 1919, receiving a pension of 4 shillings and 8 pence from 19th May 1919 and 2 shillings from 5th November 1919. Thomas suffered minor disability for the rest of his life.
In civilian life Thomas worked for 50 years at Grassmoor Colliery, initially as a miner, but after his wartime injury as a surface worker eventually becoming foreman screener.
Tom and Hannah Wicks and the modern 3 Central Avenue.
Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside...!
Social Climb
Thomas and Hannah had four children Thomas, Phillip, **** and ********. Thomas Wicks Snr. died on 2nd September 1966 aged 69 and Hannah on 9th October 1967 aged 71.
During the 20th century the Wicks families played an active role in the Ragged School, a Sunday School established in 1878 for the poor children of Chesterfield. In 1942 Thomas Wicks, Snr. was presented with the "Shaftesbury Bible" for 40 years service to the school. (More information on the Ragged School can be found in the Milner section.) Walter Wicks, his brother, was the school's Assistant Superintendent from 1919 to 1945; Thomas Wicks, his grandson, was its Treasurer from 1937 to 1940; and Philip Wicks, another grandson, its Treasurer from 1940 to 1941. Thomas Wicks, the grandson, had been assisting the former Treasurer Walter Milner, who had been Treasurer from 1909 until his death in 1937.
Derbyshire Times 3rd July 1942 and 19th February 1937.
Although Walter Wicks was a strict Rechabite, his brother, Arthur, was a publican. When Arthur died in 1939, his funeral was held in the Ragged School and several publicans were present. After the committal service rites of the Royal Order of Buffalos were performed.
The 20th century saw a rise in the social status of the family. Whereas the two earlier Thomases worked as labourers in the colliery industry, the children of Thomas and Hannah benefited from improved educational opportunities and entered white collar professions.
From this point the family history is removed for family privacy reasons.
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
Thomas WICKS b.9.8.1918 d. 12.6.1986
Dorothy MILNER b.3.2.1913 d. 6.5.1991
Married 15.11.1937 Divorced
Witnesses D.M. Whener (?) and A. Wheeldon.
Dorothy Marie WICKS b.15.11.1937 d. 6.1.1938
******* *** WICKS b.******** m. ******** ***** ****** ******
********** **** WICKS b.******** m. *** **** ******** *******
Geoffrey Thomas WICKS b.22.4.1942
m.25.6.1978 ****** ******* ******
29 Saltergate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
********, **** ****, Westward Ho!, Devon.
* ******** *******, ********* ****, Bideford, Devon.
Grandparents
Thomas Wicks b. 28.12.1897 d. 2.9.1966
Hannah Wood b. 17.5.1896 d. 9.10.1969 (Watson)
Married 25.6.1917
Witnesses John George Wood, Richard Wicks, Florrie Wicks and
Susannah Wood.
Thomas Wicks b. 9.8.1918 m. 15.11.1937
Dorothy MILNER d. 11.6.1986
Phillip Wicks b. 2.6.1920 m. Enid Gore d. 1998
**** Wicks b. ******** m. ******** *******
******** Wicks b. *** **** m. **** ******
3 Central Avenue, Boythorpe, Chesterfield
Great grandparents
Thomas Wicks b. 27.6.1873 d. 26.1.1957
Annie (Ann) Wicks born 19.4.1868 bap. 19.5.1868 d. 25.8.1954
Married 17.4.1893
Witnesses Richard Wicks and Ellen Wicks.
Florrie Wicks b. 1st 1894
Thomas Wicks b. 28.12.1897 m. 2nd 1917
Hannah Wood d.2.9.1966
Agnes Wicks b. 3rd 1898 d. 4th 1915
Richard Baden b. 27.5.1900 m Sarah Jane Smith 25.4.1927 d. 2nd
1977
Barrack Square
Spreadeagle Yard
24 Dickenson Road
2x great grandparents
Richard Wicks (Taylor) bap. 13.4.1834 b.1.6.1834 d. 12.1.1900
Alice Marsh b. 13.3.1844 d. 12.8.1930
Married 20.4.1864
Witnesses James Bacon and Mary Ogden.
Richard Wicks b. 3rd 1864
John Henry Wicks bap. 6.9.1865 d. 2nd 1866
Elizabeth Alice Wicks bap. 6.9.1865 d. 3rd 1866
Emily Wicks bap. 8.12.1867 d. 3rd 1870
Harriet Wicks b. 1870 d. 1st 1872
Emma Wicks b. 1872
Thomas Wicks b. 27.6.1873 m
17.4.1893 Annie Wicks d. 26.1.1957
Edwin Wicks b. 1875 d. 4th 1932
Ellen Wicks b. 1877
Flora Wicks b. 1879 d. 1st 1882
Walter Wicks b. 1881 d.29.8.1945
Arthur Wicks b. 1882 d. 3rd 1939
Lyddiard Park
Marines Woolwich, Teaser, London, Mersey, Indus, Impregnable.
19 Moon Street, Devonport, Plymouth, Devon.
21 Newport Street, Plymouth, Devon.
Butchers Court, Brampton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
14 West Barrs, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
50 Pond Houses, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Wheeldon Lane, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
White House, Hasland.
3x great grandparents
Richard Wicks bap. 22.9.1811 d. 22.4.1891 buried 26.4.1891
Elizabeth Taylor (Church) b. 26.12.1813 d. 2.5.1891 buried
6.5.1891
Married 28.7.1838
Witnesses William Wicks and Ann Wicks.
Richard Wicks (Taylor) bap. 13.4.1834
b. 1.6.1834 m. 20.4.1864 Alice Marsh d. 12.1.1900
Isabella Wicks bap. 25.8.1839 d. 2.6.1868
Shaw, Lyddiard Millicent, Wiltshire
Hulses Grounds, Little Faringdon, Berkshire
Langford, Oxfordshire
Pond Houses, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
4x great grandparents
John Wicks bap.5.6.1785 d. 20.1.1864
Mary Trotman b. 1786 d.23.1.1852
Married 5.4.1807
Witnesses Bartholomew Horsell and George Woolley.
Sarah Wicks b.1807 m. Richard Parsons 26.8.1828
Richard Wicks bap. 22.9.1811 m. 28.7.1838
Elizabeth Taylor
Ann Wicks bap. 22.9.1811
Charlotte Wicks bap. 12.6.1814
William Wicks bap. 13.10.1816 m.Jane Kibblewhite 24.11.1842
Charles Wicks b. 1821 m. Mary Ann
Mary Wicks bap. 26.5.1822
Martha Wicks bap. 26.5.1822
Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
Malmesbury, Wiltshire
Lydiard Tregoze, Wiltshire.
Lydiard Millicent, Wiltshire.
5x great grandparents
William Wicks bap. 24.4.1757 d. 10.12.1805
Martha Bond b.23.11.1755 d. 30.9.1835
m. 17.3.1783 Kingston Lisle Berkshire
Martha BOND was the daughter of John and Martha BOND living in
Fallow
John Wicks bap. 5.6.1785 m.
5.4.1807 Mary Trotman
Thomas Wicks bap. 1.4.1787
George Wicks bap. 26.7.1789
Harriot Wicks bap. 27.5.1792
William Wicks bap. 16.03.1794
Charlotte Wicks bap. 13.11.1796 m. 1820 George Stroud
Lydiard Tregoze, Wiltshire
Lydiard Millicent, Wiltshire
6x great grandparents
John Wicks ?? d. 17.10.1765
Hannah ?? d. 1.6.1761
Thomas Wicks bap. 26.7.1752 m. 12.5.1781 Mary Pain d.23.4.1828
Jane Wicks bap. 1.10.1754
William Wicks bap. 24.4.1757 m. Martha
Bond 17.3.1783 d. 10.12.1805
Mary Wicks bap. 21.10.1759
Sarah Wicks bap. 17.5.1761 d. 6.9.1761
John Wicks d.17.10.1765
Ann Hinder d. 16.5.1776
married 17.12.1763
Witnesses Edward Kibblewhite and Harvey Clarke.
Ann Wicks bap. 20.10.1764
Lyddiard Tregoze, Wiltshire.
Lyddiard Millicent, Wiltshire.
The following table shows the name of member of the family winning a servant's prize, the employer and sometimes the occupation and the date of the prize award.
WOOTTON BASSETT HIRING FAIR
1836 - 1850
Ann George WHITE 6.10.1840 Jane Hannington HARRIS, Little Hinton 2.10.1849 Martha Joseph HISCOCKS 8.10.1839 Martha Highway BEVAN 2.4.1844 Martha Highway BEVAN 1.4.1845 Martha Wanbro' JORDAN 7.10.1845 Martha Inglesham, NASH 2.10.1849
1851 - 1860
Jane Woodhill Park, BEAK 5.10.1852 Jane WOODWARD (Dairy) 4.4.1854 Mary Ann Richard RIDDLER (HM) 6.10.1857 Mary Ann Weston, BUSCOTT(General Servant)4.1859 Ruth West Littleton, HILLIAR (HM) 7.10.1857 Sophia Purton, HULBERT (Dairy) 13.3.1858 Sophia Swindon, REYNOLDS (Dairy Maid) 4.1859
1836 - 1849 1851 - 1856
Jane Poor stock Jan 1854 Jane Poor stock 7.1.1855
Return to main text
Attestation:
Enlisted 31.5.1854 Woolwich Age: 20 years 0 months Trade: Servant Description: 5ft 6.5in Fresh Complexion Grey Eyes Brown hair No distinguishing marks
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Discharge: 1.7.1875
36th Company Plymouth Division 5 Good Conduct Service Badges Served in boat and expeditions on the coast of Africa 1855 & 1858. Exemplary conduct Age 41 5ft 7in Black hair Blue eyes Discharged to Butchers Court, Brampton, Chesterfield.
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Service Record:
Born: 1.6.1834 Religion: Church of England Can Swim Good conduct badges: 8.1.1860, 1.6.1862, 1.6.1867, 3.6.1870, 3.6.1875 Re-engagement: 30.5.1866 Promotion: Corporal lst Class 9.5.1863
RECORD:
01.06.1854 - 19.03.1855 Woolwich 20.03.1855 - 20.11.1856 Teazer Ships number 4 21.11.1856 - 22.05.1857 Teazer 23.05.1857 - 27.07.1858 Teazer 28.07.1858 - 22.10.1858 Teazer 23.10.1858 - 17.05.1859 Woolwich 18.05.1859 - 31.03.1861 London Ships number 99 01.04.1861 - 31.12.1861 London 01.01.1862 - 05.02.1863 London 06.02.1863 - 08.05.1863 Woolwich Promoted 09.05.1863 - 31.12.1867 Woolwich 01.01.1868 - 19.07.1868 Mersey 20.07.1868 - 15.03.1869 Woolwich 16.03.1869 - 20.08.1869 Plymouth 21.08.1869 - 29.09.1871 Indus Ships number 176 30.09.1871 - 31.12.1871 Plymouth 01.01.1872 - 05.04.1872 Plymouth 06.04.1872 - 31.12.1872 Impregnable Ships number 66 01.01.1873 - 31.12.1873 Impregnable Ships number 11/28 01.01.1874 - 31.12.1874 Impregnable 01.01.1875 - 04.06.1875 Impregnable 05.06.1875 - 11.06.1875 Plymouth
THE SHIPS
TEAZER: Wood screw tender. 296 builder's meaurement. 130 x 22ft. 2 guns. Built: Chatham Dockyard 25.6.1846. Broken up 12.1887 Chatham.
LONDON: 2nd rate 92. 2,589 builder's meaurement. 4,375 tons. 206 x 54.5ft. 10-8in. 82-32pdr. Built; Chatham Dockyard 28.9.1840. Undocked Devonport 13.5.1858 as screw ship, 2,687 builder's measurement. 72 guns. Harbour storeship 4.1874. Sold 1884 Zanzibar for break up.
MERSEY: Wood screw frigate. 3,733 builder's measurement. 300 x 52ft. 28-10in. 12-68pdr. Chatham Dockyard 13.8.1858. Sold 23.1.1875 Castle, Charlton
INDUS: 2nd rate 80. 2,098 builder's measurement. 3,653 tons. 189 x 51ft. Built Portsmouth Dockyard 16.3.1839. Guardship 1860. Sold 11.11.1898.
IMPREGNABLE: 2nd rate 98. 2,406 builder's measurement. 3,880 tons. 197 x 53.5ft. Built Chatham Dockyard 1.8.1810. TS 1862 = KENT 9.11.1888 = CALEDONIA 22.9.1891. Sold 10.7.1906
(A second rate ship had 90 - 98 guns, 3 decks, 700 - 750 men and a tonnage of about 2,500)
Rules of Grassmoor Colliery 1907
Thomas Wicks First World War Record
Attestation:
Disciplinary record:
Active Service:
7th Battalion East Kents (The Buffs) War Diary — August 1918
7.8 MORLANCOURT (62° NE + NW) Night 6/7 heavy shelling. Cleaning up. By night Cloncurry line established.
8.8 Early morning 7th Btn The Queens Clowcurry Line attacked 4.30 a.m. Considerable opposition, achieved objective.
9 8 Remained in same positions 5 30 p.m. another attack Buffs withdrawn to Bunburry Line. Remained during night.
10.8 Day uneventful. At dusk marched to WARLOY.
11.8 Cleaning up, organising in WARLOY (WAYLOY?).
10/11 1.30 a.m. Moved into billets.
13.8 6 p.m. Moved into lines.
17.8 LAVIEVILLE relieved 8th Berks regiment without casualties. Map Senlis. A E.8.a.1.4 to E.1.d.55 B E.2.c.1.1. to E.2.c.i.9. C E.7.a.6.0 to E.1.b.0.4 D D.12.b.8.3 to E.7.a.3.7 and E.7.a.5.5. to D.6.d..4.4 Night passed quietly. American platoon attached to each company. One platoon of each company left behind at transport line (VADENCOURT WOOD).
21.8 MILLENCOURT night 21/22 moved up to assembly positions in E.3.a. with Btn HQ at E.3.a.9.6.
22.8 ALBERT 8th Battalion East Surrey moved forward at 5.45 a.m. to clear ALBERT. 8.25 a.rn. B and C companies moved forward to forming up position along railway lines at W.2.9.c. & E.5.a. At 9.00 a.m. instructions to B and C to proceed. By 4.00 p.m. heavy casualties. A under bank in E.4. D along embankment W.29.c.6.7. to W.2.9.c.4.2 C short trench W.29.c.6.6 B railway cutting E.5.a. 10.15 ordered to push forward to the Blue Line to be completed by 1.00 a.m. 23rd. Not completed owing to opposition. A got to W.29.d.4.3
23.8 4.45 a.m. 53 Infantry Brigade Queens went through.
23.8 East of ALBERT. At midday order for Buffs to BUNKS in E.5.a. were received. By 3.00 companies were back at assembly position with Btn HQ at E.3.a.9.6 and remained there in Divisional Reserve.
24.8 Remained in Divisional Reserve. On night 24/25 Buffs relieved 7th Regiment West Kent Rifles. HQ W.24.d.2.2 A X.25.a.2.8 to X.25.b.6.6 B + C W.30.d.7.7 to W.30.b.6.2 D 2 platoons with company HQ near BECOURT CHATEAU 2 platoons edge BECOURT WOOD.
25.8 East of ALBERT. 6.45 a.m. order to push forward. At noon: BHQ SHELTER WOOD X.28.a.2.9 A along Railway line in X.23.d B + C in valley at X.28.a.8.8 D in SHELTER WOOD X.22.c.0.0
MAMETZ During afternoon battalion moved to valley X.23. b and d. Orders to push on during the night — could not be done owing to weather conditions.
26.8 In morning advance continued. A company in left of ravine in X.30.a and S.19.b. B + C on right. D in support in ravine. A went forward, held line in S.21.c D filled gap, held line S.27.a B + C pushed forward to MONTAUBAN - took approximately 50 prisoners and 4 m.g.s - held line at S.27.c - patrols through MONTAU BAN by 6.00 p.m.
7.00 p.m. Counter attack on left, but got broken up before properly developed.
9.00 p.m. Queens went through Battalion and held line in front. During day HQ moved to Ravine.
27.8 Companies stayed where they were. At 5.00 readjustment took place. BHQ X.30.a.5.8 A S27.b.2.5 B + C Ravine X.30.a.5.8 D S.28.a.i.2 to S.21.d.8.5 Battle surplus came up - sent to companies and B and C companies again formed.
28.8 Alteration in disposition. Night 28/29 Battalion relieved by 54th Battalion — Buffs in Divisional Reserve just North of FRICOURT.
29.8 F R1COURT Divisional Reserve reorganising/equipping.
30.8 BENNAFAU WOOD - bivouacked South of MONTAUBAN.
31.8 Marched at night just west of COMBLES. Bivouacked in DAKHANGER WOOD.
Battle Orders:
Trench maps:
Medical:
