George Hicks (RAF officer)
George Rensbury Hicks | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 January 1900 Walthamstow, Essex, England |
| Died | 24 November 1951 (aged 51) West Derby, Liverpool North, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | No. 74 (Fighter) Squadron |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Lieutenant George Rensbury Hicks DFC (24 January 1900 – 24 November 1951) was a First World War flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.
Biography
[edit]Hicks was born in Walthamstow, Essex, to George and Matilda Ann Hicks on 24 January 1900.[1]
During the First World War, Hicks served with the Artists Rifles as a private up until 3 November 1917, when he joined the Royal Flying Corps as a lieutenant.[2] Posted to No. 74 (Fighter) Squadron, Hicks achieved all eight of his victories in the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a.[1] Hicks scored his first victory on 15 July 1918, shooting down a Fokker D.VII.[1] His second triumph came on 24 July, this time against a DFW C.V.[1] Hicks shot down another DFW C.V on 19 August.[1] His fourth and fifth victories both came on 5 September 1918, with Hicks shooting down two Fokker D.VIIs, becoming an ace.[1] 24 September saw Hicks achieve another two triumphs in one day – shooting down a Siemens-Schuckert D.IV and an unknown Rumpler biplane.[1] Two days later saw his last victory of the war, when Hicks shot down another Fokker D.VII.[1] Hicks was wounded in action on 2 October 1918.[1]
On 3 June 1919, Hicks was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.[3]
Hicks died on 24 November 1951 in West Derby.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "George Hicks". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ Highman, S. Stagtoll (1922). "The regimental roll of honour and war record of the Artists' Rifles (1/28th, 2/28th and 3/28th battalions, the London Regiment T. F.) Commissions, promotions, appointments and rewards for service in the field obtained by members of the corps since 4th August, 1914". London: Howlett. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ "No. 31378". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1919. p. 7031.
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- 1900 births
- 1951 deaths
- Royal Air Force personnel of World War I
- British World War I flying aces
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
- British Army personnel of World War I
- Artists' Rifles soldiers
- Royal Flying Corps officers
- People from Walthamstow
- Military personnel from the London Borough of Waltham Forest
- Territorial Force soldiers
- Royal Air Force personnel stubs