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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 797

(x) Pair: Lance-Sergeant F. B. Hickmott, Northumberland Fusiliers, who was taken P.O.W. at the Battle of Stormberg and died 3 months later, likely the result of wounds or illness

Queen's Sudan 1896-98 (4471 Cpl F. Hickmott 1/Northd.: Fus:); Khedive's Sudan 1896-1908, clasp, Khartoum (4471. Corpl. F. Hickmott. 5th. Fusers.), toned, minor edge nicks, good very fine (2)


Francis Benjamin Hickmott was born in 1876 at Bromley, Kent, the son of Richard W. Hickmott of 18 Ashburnham Terrace, Lambeth. Recorded as a 15-year-old inn barman in the 1891 census, he attested soon thereafter for the Northumberland Fusiliers and was posted to the Sudan. On 1 April 1899, an article appeared in the Herts Advertiser which offers a little more detail regarding Hickmott's life at this time:

'From the Soudan to the Altar.

Lance-Sergt. Francis Benjamin Hickmott of the Northumberland Fusiliers, having seen active service in the recent battle of Omdurman, decided to make a home for himself and to settle down quietly to married life. Consequently, the wedding was arranged and took place at St. Michael's Parish Church, Bishop's Stortford, the lady of his choice being Miss Agnes Adelaide Bowler of Worcester. The interesting ceremony was performed by the Vicar, the Rev. H. T. Lane, who, at the close, informed the bridegroom that it was the first occasion on which he had officiated at the wedding of a soldier in uniform. The bridegroom only enlisted four years ago, and the fact that he has in that short period risen to the rank of Lance-Sergeant, and is besides gymnastic instructor to the regiment, points to a long and useful career in the army.'

Hickmott's blossoming career came to a premature halt six months later when he fought during the Second Boer War with the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, and was taken Prisoner at Stormberg on 10 December 1899. The defeat of British forces under General William Forbes Gatacre resulted in casualties of 26 killed, 68 wounded and 696 captured (The Battle of Stormberg, Chapter 10, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, refers). He died at Pretoria on 21 March 1900; sold with copied research.

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, 2002.


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Sold for
£420

Starting price
£170