The following obituary was published in the Malvern News on 3/4/15: “On Tuesday morning (30/3/15) of 12 Lansdowne Terrace (formerly of Cavendish House, Barnards Green Road) received a notification from the War Office that her son, Sergt John Hicks of the 3rd Worcesters had been killed in action at Lindenhoek on March 12th. (His death was unofficially announced about a fortnight ago, and was reported in the Malvern News on March 20th.) Enclosed with the War Office letter was the following message from Lord Kitchener:-

“The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of His Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow.”

“Sergt Hicks who was in his 24th year, was home on seven days’ leave six weeks ago, and his many friends in Malvern, who mourn his death will sympathise deeply with the bereaved family. Over nine years ago he entered the Army as a drummer and on the outbreak of War he went out with the Expeditionary Force. When at home Sergt Hicks never spoke of the fighting in which he had been engaged, wishing, no doubt, to spare the feelings of his relatives.”

“One of the best”

He was engaged to Miss Phipps of Malvern Commons, and an envelope bearing her address being found on him, Company Sergeant-Major Blond of ‘A’ Company, the 3rd Worcesters wrote the following letter to her on March 13th:-

“Dear Miss Phipps

“I am sorry to have to tell you that Sergeant Hicks, whose hand-writing you will recognise on the envelope containing this letter, was killed at about 4.30 pm on the 12th inst. It was in the course of an attack which we made on the enemy’s trenches. He was shot through the head and was killed instantaneously. I cannot express my sorrow at his untimely end sufficiently, for we all liked him.

“As a leader of his platoon he was an example. In care for the welfare of his men he was most diligent; as a comrade he was one of the best; and in losing him we suffer a loss which is only excelled, I am sure, by yours and his people, of whom he so often spoke in terms of affection. I must ask you to let his people know, as I cannot write direct, having only your address.

“Believe me to be, yours in sympathy

P T Blond C.S.M.”

“Brave and good-hearted”

Sergt E Thornhill, also of ‘A’ Company, 3rd Worcesters, wrote to Mrs Hicks, as follows from No 3 General Hospital, B.E.F.:

“Dear Mrs Hicks

“I though it my duty to write, as your son Sergt J Hicks (9551) was killed in a charge which we made on Thursday, the 12th. I couldn’t in any way get to him to take the things which he had to send to you, but although I am away from the Battalion now, I have left a message, so that I shall know who has them, and for them to be sent direct to you. Both the Company and myself offer you deepest sympathy in the loss of our comrade.

“We lost all the officers in our Company and several men killed and wounded. We had a very hard time, but we got what we were after. I shall miss your son now, because we used to have many a joke between us, and when we went to my home he took a parcel for me. He was a brave, excellent, and good-hearted young man. As he was my chum and one of my best comrades. I thought it my duty to write to you. A shell blew a sand-bag across my back and this has laid me up for a little time. I hope this awful War will soon cease.”

“Died with a smile on his face”

Sergt Drinkall of ‘C’ Company, 3rd Worcesters wrote to Mr and Mrs Hicks on March 15th:

“It is with an almost broken heart that I have to announce the death of poor Jack. He was killed in action on the 12th inst whilst gallantly leading his platoon in an attack on the German trenches. Though not near him at the time, I have gleaned sufficient news to be able to let you know that he was instantly killed by a bullet in the head, and later, when he was brought in by the stretcher bearers, I was told he looked a picture. He died with a smile on his face, and did his duty like a Briton.

“You will know what a difficult job this is for me, as Jack and I were brothers in all but blood, and if it is my fate to fall, I hope that Jack’s example will do me good. His effects that were on him at the time will be sent to you by his Company. Dear Mrs Hicks, how could a man die better than Jack did? Take consolation from this, and be proud that you had such a good son.

“I can’t write any more, and you will understand the reason, but please accept the sympathy of yours affectionately,

Bob

“P.S. Jack’s Company held him in high esteem, and no doubt you will received some token of this soon.”

Sergeant Robert Drinkall, who was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry on the 12th March, was killed in action on 7th June 1915; Company Sergeant-Major P T Blond who had served with distinction in 1914, winning one of the first Military Crosses, was mentioned in despatches in February 1915 and went on to serve as a C.S.M. for the duration of the war, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 1918; Sergeant Thornhill also survived the war.

Malvern News 27/3/15
Stacke, Capt H. FitzM The Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War Kidderminster 1921