George William WICKENS (WICKINS)

WICKENS (WICKINS), George William

Service Numbers: 986, 96
Enlisted: 1 April 1900, Adelaide, South Australia
Last Rank: Farrier Sergeant
Last Unit: Second Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse (South Australia)
Born: Clare, South Australia, December 1871
Home Town: St Peters (SA), Norwood Payneham St Peters, South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Farrier
Died: Natural causes, Mitcham, South Australia, 2 January 1948
Cemetery: West Terrace Cemetery (General) Adelaide, South Australia
Plot: Road 5
Memorials:
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Boer War Service

1 Oct 1899: Involvement Trooper, 96, 4th Imperial Bushmen
1 Oct 1899: Involvement Sergeant, 986, 2nd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse
1 Apr 1900: Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 96, 4th Imperial Bushmen, Adelaide, South Australia
1 May 1900: Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 96, 4th Imperial Bushmen, Manhattan (Atlantic transport), Port Adelaide
28 Feb 1901: Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Shoeing-Smith, 96, 4th Imperial Bushmen, Invalided to Australia on the s.s. Britannic
6 Jan 1902: Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Farrier Sergeant, 986, Second Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse (South Australia), 'D' Squadron, Adelaide, South Australia
20 Feb 1902: Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Farrier Sergeant, 986, Second Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse (South Australia), s.s. Manchester Merchant, Port Adelaide
14 Aug 1902: Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Farrier Sergeant, 986, Second Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse (South Australia), Returned to Australia 31 July 1902

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Biography contributed by Paul Trevor

From serching the Genealogy SA databases on historical records, with  regards to birth, it shows that the correct spelling of the surname as WICKINS not that of Wickens which seems to be used when both brothers are being referenced with either their military service and/or history.

Thomas Hall and his brother Eugene Wilson Wilkens appears to be a close relations to both Eugene and George Wickens who also served with the brother's in the Second Contingent to South Africa.

The two enlisted children of George Alexander Wickins and Emma Jane (née Powell) Wickins of South Australia:-

4, 1034 Sgt. Eugene Albert Wickens (/explore/people/794221) - returned to Australia;

96, 986 F/Sgt. George William Wickens - returned to Australia.

On the 13 July 1901, Shoeing-Smith G. W. Wickens was a member of the Fourth Contingent of Parading soldiers, like his brother Lance-Corporal E. A. Wickens of the Third Contingent who both served in the First Boer War Campaign, were awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal by the Duke of York, Prince George. This award ceremony took place in Adelaide at Victoria Park.

"FUNERAL NOTICES

WICKINS— The friends of the late Mr. George William Wickins are respectfully informed that his funeral will leave his late residence. 4 Brad St., Mitcham, on Saturday, at 10.30 am, for the West Terrace Cemetery.

SOUTH African War Veterans' Association. — Members are requested to meet at West Terrace Cemetery at 10.30 a.m. Saturday, 3rd Jan., 1948, to follow the remains of late Comrade George William Wickens to his last resting place. Car will leave Bank of Adelaide at 10 a.m." - from The Advertiser 3 Jan 1948 (nla.gov.au)

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