5192819 Sapper George Frederick Charles HICKETTS, 80 Assault Squadron, Royal Engineers: 1/11/1944

Remembering today 1st November 1944.

Casualty Details | CWGC
Sapper George Frederick Charles Hicketts.
5192819, 80 Assault Sqaudron, Royal Engineers.
Who died age 21.
On 1st November 1944.
Buried or commemorated at OOSTENDE NEW COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Grave Reference: Plot 9. Row 6. Grave 29.
Location: Belgium
Son of Frederick George and Ethel May Hicketts, of Westbury, Wiltshire.
Personal Inscription HE GAVE ALL FOR THE HOME AND FREEDOM HE DEARLY LOVED. SLEEP ON, DEAR SON

Remembered with Honour.



When i found my granda's photo there was also details from the CWGC site that must have been printed of George's death and at the top of the page granda as written onto it BEST FRIEND. My uncle always knew that granda had a best friend but he couldn't remember his name so this was the proof we wanted. Sadly George also died on this day and by the look on the war diary the same time as Captain Saunders along with another a Lance Corporal Weeler.


Casualty Details | CWGC
Lance Corporal Clarence Gordon Weeler.
4915651, 80 Assault Sqaudron, Royal Engineers.
Who died age 21.
On 1st November 1944.
Buried or commemorated at OOSTENDE NEW COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Grave Reference: Plot 9. Row 6. Grave 30.
Location: Belgium
Son of Charles and Louise Weeler, of Pipe Hayes, Birmingham; Husband of Annie Marie Weeler, of Pipe Hayes.
Personal Inscription NOW IN GOD'S KEEPING, SAFELY AT REST. ALWAYS REMEMBERED

Remembered with Honour.




George and Clarence lay side by side in Oosstende New Communal Cemetery.


George's grave stone picture courtesy of Pierre Vandervelden. oostende

War diary courtesy of Lee.

So a BIG THANKYOU for getting me these cheers.

RIP GEORGE AND CLARENCE
View attachment 64528

 

A larger picture that Michael (Deacs) requested.

 

Michael,

I checked the war diary of 80 Squadron RE as promised and attach a couple of pages about the assault on Walcharen. As it is handwritten, I have typed the part which relates to G F C Hickett's death and I quote:-

“touch down on the right shoulder of the Westkapelle Gap at 11-45 hours. Things are not so good. Plenty of enemy shelling, all our LCT’s hit. Capt Saunders hit by shell splinter on LCT and mortally wounded. He died about half an hour afterwards. LVT 1E on board OC’s LCT hit by shell which killed 2 men. Went right through the LVT and burst under a weasel in front causing a considerable fire and confusion“.






Although the two men are not mentioned by name, there were only 2 men from 80 Assault Squadron killed that day. One of them can only have been your G Hicketts. As to confirming he was on the raid, I hit gold when I checked through the thick wad of papers behind the war diary pages. Attached was an Apendix, which is marked in handwriting, Nominal Roll of men embarked to Infatuate 31/10/1944. G.F.C Hicketts is on page 2.

 

Thankyou Rob yes i noticed that there was only 3 RE lads that died that day.

Captain Saunders.

Private George Hicketts.

Lance Corporal Weeler.

 

Am late in remembering George and Clarence but was on holiday
And i have just recieved Clarence's headstone from Pierre

So a late Rest in peace lads

 

Remembering today George and Clarence RIP

 

RIP brave soldier

 

1st November 2014, Remembering 70 years on.

Remembering today George and Clarence RIP

 

good day deacs,m,1st nov 2011-12:10am,re:remembering today.sapper george frederick charles hicketts 80 assault sqdn re 1/11/44 .age 21.may he rest in peace.regards bernard85

 

Remembering today Clarence and George RIP

 

Remembering today Clarence and George

 

George and Clarence you are not forgotten RIP

 

Remembering

 

Remembering George and Clarence on the 75th Anniversary RIP lads

 

Remembering George and Clarence

 

Sapper George Frederick Charles Hicketts.
5192819, 80 Assault Sqaudron, Royal Engineers.
Who died age 21.
On 1st November 1944.
Son of Frederick George and Ethel May Hicketts, of Westbury, Wiltshire.
Remembered with Honour.
Oostende New Communal Cemetery.

 

Remebering George and Clarence not forgotten

 

Remembering George and Clarence

 

Remembering George and Clarence on the 1st November, 80 years ago RIP

 

Remembering George and Clarence