Hicks F A A Pte 160

The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Parry street, Moonee Ponds, will regret to hear that their grandson, Frederick Allen A. Hicks, was killed in action on September 22nd. The late Private Hicks was a scholar of St. Thomas' Sunday school, and was educated at the Essendon State school. Prior to enlisting he followed farming pursuits in Queensland: Aged 20 years and 11 months.

WITH THE COLOURS. (1915, October 28). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved January 17, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74590609

OUR SOLDIERS A FALLEN HERO.

The following is a letter sent in by Miss Hilda Hicks, referring to the death of her brother, Private Fred A. A. Hicks, who left Queensland in May last, with the 4th Light Horse Brigade. He was well known in this district. and was educated at Essendon State school.

Writing from Anzac, Gallipoli, on September 24th, the Rev. George Green says: "I trust you have been given grace to bear with fortitude the great sorrow and trial it has pleased God to send you. I can have some idea of how hard it is for you, but, as the Apostle teaches (though you can't help being sorry for yourself and the bereaved), we must not be sorry for them who depart hence in the Lord.

I didn't know your boy personally. We have been here since May, and his regiment arrived and was attached to us some three weeks ago. Last Wednesday, he, with his comrades, was digging in holes which were to be joined up at night into "saps"-that is, safe passage for the men. As he hopped out of his hole to join his comrades at 4 p.m. and return, a bullet from an enemy's sniper struck him through the back and chest. He was immediately unconscious, and died within a few minutes. We buried him at night by moonlight; it was quite a decent burial, very different, I can tell you, to what many a fallen hero had in early days. About 40 of his comrades bore him to the cemetery by the beach, and the C.O. of his squadron was also present.

Well, he died doing his duty for his country and the cause of freedom-that is a consolation for you; but a greater consolation is to believe in the great Resurrection Hope -"in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ." We laid his body in the grave; and to know that although he will not meet you again in his earthly home, you may meet him in the Heavenly home, where much of the complications and pain of this world, will be no more. God comfort you all.

"I am, yours, sincerely,

"GEORGE GREEN."

OUR SOLDIERS. (1915, December 16). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 6 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved January 21, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74591225