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Wickins, Rupert George

 

Born 1891 Hobart Tasmania the son of Vernon Evan and Mary Wickins (nee Nicholas) a clerk who was one of he first Tasmanians to enlist when he joined up on 17th August 1914.  He embarked Hobart 20th October 1914 on board “HMAT Geelong” with the 12th Infantry Battalion.  He served on the Gallipoli Peninsula and on the 8th December 1915 was promoted to Corporal.  He was later demoted back to Private.

 

After seven months service on the Gallipoli Peninsula he was again in action at Baupaume and it was here on Easter Sunday 8th April 1917 he was killed in action.  Much to his mother’s dismay his body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Villers-Bretonneux Area, France

 

His brother Lance Corporal Vernon John Wickins was killed in action 8th August 1915 on the Gallipoli Peninsula and is commemorated on the  Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula Turkey

Lieutenant-Colonel R. A. Rafferty commanding officer of the 11th Battalion, has written to Mrs. Wickins of Hobart, as follows:-

"I knew your son (Corporal Rupert Wickins) very well indeed he was a really good soldier. At the time of his death I was not with the 12th, but commanding another bat- talion. Your son was killed in action at Boursies, on April 8, 1917, and I believe he was killed outright. I am informed he was buried where he fell. . .

So you have sent out four sons-you should, indeed, be a proud mother. Your sorrow must be great but think of the cause for which your boys have given of their best."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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