L/Cpl 36654 Albert Ernest Hickling

• Age: 38
• From: Gloucester
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W. Monday 7th August 1916
• Commemorated at: Corbie Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: II.A.54

Albert Ernest Hickling was born in Gloucester and baptised 13th January 1878 at Ryecroft Chapel Parish, Gloucester. He was the son of the late Joseph and Jane Hickling (nee Blankley) of Peterborough. Albert Ernest was educated at Deacon’s School, Peterborough and at St John’s College, Battersea where he was popularly known as “Pete”. He was a member of the college first teams. He gained his Government Certificate with a double first class. He was the assistant first master at St Lawrence’s School, Kirkdale and had been a teacher with the Liverpool Education Commitee between 1898 and 1916. He was a member of the Aliens Rugby Team, formed by a group of school teachers which went on to become Sefton RUFC. He and also a member of the choir of Holy Trinity Church, Walton Breck. 

On the 1891 Census is "Ernest", aged 16, a scholar, born Gloucester, living at 175 Gladstone St, Peterborough. Also there are his father Joseph, 48, a locomotive fireman, born Humberstone, Leics; mother Jane, 48, born Humberstone, Leics.; sisters Eliza, 21, school governess, born Humberstone, Leics.; Mary, 19, drapers assistant, born Normanton, Yorks.; Louisa, 18, drapers cashier, born Normanton, Yorks.; Mabel, 10, scholar, born Gloucester.

On the 1901 Census Albert Ernest is aged 23, single, an assistant schoolmaster, boarding with the Haimer family at 5 Toft Street, Edge Hill, Liverpool.

His mother Jane died in June 1901 aged 58 and his father Joseph died  in September 1908 aged 65.

On the 1911 census  he is aged 33, and an elementary school teacher for Liverpool City Council, born in Gloucester, living at 17 Ash Leigh, Anfield, Liverpool. Also living there are his sisters Louisa Annie, 38, single and Alice Mabel, 30, single.

He was serving in the 20^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 36654 when he died of wounds on the 07th August 1916 aged 38 and he now rests at Corbie Communal Cemetery, France.

Corbie was about 20 kilometres behind the front when Commonwealth forces took over the line from Berles-au-Bois southward to the Somme in July 1915. The town immediately became a medical centre, with Nos 5 and 21 Casualty Clearing Stations based at La Neuville (the suburb across the Ancre) until October 1916 and April 1917 respectively. In November 1916 the front moved east, but the German advance in the Spring of 1918 came within 10 kilometres of the town and brought with it field ambulances of the 47th Division and the 12th Australian Field Ambulance. The communal cemetery was used for burials until May 1916, when the plot set aside was filled and the extension opened. The majority of the graves in the extension are of officers and men who died of wounds in the 1916 Battle of the Somme. The remainder relate to the fighting of 1918. The communal cemetery contains 249 First World War burials, the extension 918. The extension was designed by Charles Holden.

It is highly likely that his wounds were received in the action at Guillemont on 30th July 1916:

30th July 1916

The 20^th King’s Battalion Diary records:

“At 4.45am prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than 10 yards ahead. This continued until about 6 o’clock when it lifted slightly, but it was still too hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards ahead. This being so, it was not surprising to find that the attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection.”

At 6am, Lt. RE Melly, No.1 Company, reported that his men had taken the German Maltz Horn trench.

At 6.30am, 2/Lt. CP Moore reported that he had 150 men, 4 Stokes Mortars and 2 Lewis Guns, but he was the only officer. He also said that due to the fog, both his “flanks were in the air” i.e. he was not in contact with neighbouring troops.

At 9.10am, Moore was still not in contact at his flanks, and now he had only 75 men, he had sent out 2 patrols and neither not returned. Later Moore established communication with the French on his right.

Around 10.00am, 2/Lt Musker reported that he had just over a company with him, but his left flank was suffering from German machine gun fire. Later he reported that he had over 30 casualties from the machine gun fire. His flanks were also “in the air”. No contact was made with this party until the remnants returned around 9.30pm, all runners sent were killed or missing. The War Diary states that this group had: ”held the ground won all day, and this permitted the consolidation of the ground won on the Maltz Horn ridge with little interference from the enemy”.

Relief for 20/Kings had been planned for 11.00pm, but it was 5.00am on the 31st July before it took place, ending a tragic day for the Liverpool Pals.

Casualties for 20^th Battalion were 16 Officers and 357 Other Ranks

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30^th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55^th Division during the early hours of the 31^st July. 

The events of 30^th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89^th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.   

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on Saturday 19th August 1916, the article was kindly transcribed by Dave Bohl of Sefton RUFC :

Lance-Corporal A.E.Hickling, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, died in France from wounds. He was first assistant-master at St. Lawrence Schools, Kirkdale, and a member of the choir of Holy Trinity Church, Walton Breck. He was educated at Deacon’s School, Peterborough, and at St. John’s College, Battersea, where he was popularly known as "Pete." Here he had a most successful career, gaining the Government certificate with double first-class, and was a member of the college first teams. As "Pete" he was known to a wide circle of admirers in Liverpool, who mourn the loss of a valuable friendship which stood every test, but the loss is greatest to the boys of his old school A few days before he was wounded he wrote :- "I am afraid we are bound to have losses in the next few days, and if I am among the number I hope my friends will remember what an infinitely small thing the loss of one life is in comparison with the principle for which we are fighting; and therefore, my wish is that you should not grieve for me but rather that you should be proud that I have an opportunity of falling in the same cause as so many of our St. Lawrence boys have done."

Also in the Liverpool Echo 18th August 1916:

A.E. Hickling, King's Liverpool Regiment, died from wounds, he was first assistant master at St. Lawrence Schools, Kirkdale, and a member of the choir of Holy Trinity Church, Walton Breck. 

The Liverpool Daily Post 28th August 1916 reported:

LIVERPOOL TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

CONCERTS FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS

The Liverpool teachers Association held a general meeting of members last evening in the Oulton Secondary School, Mr H. Walbank presiding over a large attendance. Congratulations were passed on the winning the Military Cross to Company Sergeant Major Lewin (Queen's Road Council School), and Company Sergeant Major Baxenden (Beaufort Street Council School.) Condolence was voted to the relatives or Corporal Wilkinson (St Francis Xavier), Corporal A. Pearson (supply), Lance Corporal A. E. Hickling (St Lawrence's C.E), and Sergeant J.L. Williams (Seamen's Orphanage), all killed in his Majesty's forces. 

Liverpool Daily Post 14th April 1917

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

The vicar (Rev. S. Redman) presided, and again nominated Mr W.S. Lloyd as his warden. There was only one vacancy in the list of other officers, which was filled by the appointment of Mr T. Crooks as sidesman. Mr R. E. Hall, people's warden, presented the accounts showing that all expenses have been fully met, and that the collections were slightly in advance of the previous year. In thanking the officials and workers, the vicar said the Somme offensive had cost them two of their best workers, Lance Corporal A.E. Hickling and Private R. Owen. Another heavy loss had been that of Private S.V. Garton, to whom his family had erected a marble tablet of great beauty and dignity.

Soldiers Effects to executor Arthur Evans and pension to his sister Alice Mabel. 

Probate granted in London to Arthur Evans, cotton salesman, 31st March 1917 

"Pete" is also remembered on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 55 Left 

Holy Trinity Church, Anfield

St Lawrence's C. of E. Church, Kirkdale, Liverpool

Roll of Honour, Sefton Rugby Union Club, West Derby, Liverpool. 

His sisters lived in Liverpool until 1931, Louisa Annie never married and died in Southport in 1953, aged 79. Alice Mabel also never married and died in Sittingbourne, Kent in 1963 aged 82.

We currently have no further information on Albert Ernest Hickling, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.