CHARLES ALFRED JOHN WICKS

IPSWICH WAR MEMORIAL | Posted on 29th June 2016 |

Born: 25th April 1896, Ipswich.

Baptised on the 9th August 1896, at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 3, Clay Court, Ipswich.

Died: New Year’s Day, 1916; age 19; died of Appendicitis at the Council Schools Military Hospital, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Residence: 121, Cemetery Road, Ipswich.

Occupation: with Messrs. W. S. Cowells, Ltd., Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Date of Entry Therein: 8th November 1914.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 2298

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.

Grave Reference:

BA. I. 44.

Ipswich Old Cemetery,

Ipswich.

Relatives Notified and Address: Only son of William Charles and Emily Wicks, of 121, Cemetery Road, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1901 7, Charles Street, Ipswich.

Charles was 5 years old and living with his parents.

William Charles Wicks, 29, a Jeweller’s Porter; born Notting Hill, London, Middlesex.

Emily Wicks (nee Goldsmith), 30; born Bredfield, Suffolk.

1911 121, Cemetery Road, Ipswich.

Charles was 14 and a Hairdresser’s Assistant. He was living with his parents.

William, 39, a Jewellers Porter.

Emily, 40.

Dorothy Marie Wicks, 6, born Ipswich.

On the 1^st September 1897, in Ipswich, Charles’ sister, Florence Emily Wicks, died aged 14 days.

Soldiers’ Effects to William C. Wicks – father.

Evening Star – Friday, 7^th January 1916 – FUNERAL OF A 4^TH SUFFOLK AT IPSWICH – The funeral took place at Ipswich Cemetery on Thursday, 6^th January 1916, of Private Charles A. J. Wicks. The deceased, who enlisted on the 30^th September 1914, went out to France with the 1/4^th Suffolks, from Colchester, in November 1914, and was severely wounded on the 26^th April 1915. After recovering from his wounds, he was again drafted to the Front on the 31st July, being again wounded on the 15^th August. Charles was invalided back to England, and on becoming convalescent was sent to rejoin his regiment at Tring, Herts, where he was placed on light duty till an operation was found necessary for appendicitis, which unfortunately proved fatal on the 1^st January 1916. The body was removed to Ipswich by rail, accompanied by six bearers, in charge of C.-S.-M. Webber. The cortège started from the residence of the deceased soldier’s father in Cemetery Road. It consisted of a firing party of the 2/9^th City of London Rifles, the gun-carriage and a team of six black horses in charge of Sergt. C. Bowman, 6^th Battery, R.F.A., the coffin, covered with the Union Jack, on which rested the deceased’s bayonet, belt, and cap, and some lovely floral tributes, two mourning coaches, and a party of Suffolks, including C.-S.-M. Webber, Sergt. J. W. Scarlett, Sergt. A. E. Scarlett, Corpl. Bumstead, and Lance-Corpl. Mannall. On arrival at the Cemetery, a most impressive service was conducted, and at the conclusion three volleys were fired, and the buglers sounded the “Last Post.” Amongst those present at the graveside was Major Money, of the 4^th Suffolks. There were a large number of floral tributes, including the following: – The officers and N.C.O.s of the 3/4^th Suffolk Regiment; his comrades of the 1/4^th Suffolk Regiment; the employees of Messrs. W. S. Cowell, Ltd.; his father, mother, and sister; Private G. W. Lambert; and many others. The coffin was of polished elm, with black fittings, the breastplate reading: “Private C. A. J. Wicks, died January 1^st 1916, aged 19 years.” Messrs. Hastings and Son were responsible for the funeral arrangements, under the supervision of Mr. P. Hastings.