Voluntary Aid Detachment - Irene Gore Hickman

[Noor]

Here is one of my last random finds from Dublin:

IRENE GORE HICKMAN (1891 - XXXX)

Voluntary Aid Detachment

Family Motto "Malo Mori Quam Foedari"

Irene was born in family home at Kilmore house at 1891. It was old 18th century house, located in the town of Kilmore, just one mile from the village of Knock, parish of Kilmurry McMahon, Co.Clare.

Her father was Francis William Gore Hickman and mother Elizabeth Brown O'Brien. Frances was County Clare High Sheriff. The title existed in the west of Ireland during the time of the Kingdom of Ireland and then as part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The sheriffs were responsible for the maintenance of law and order, also various other local roles.

Hickman's family were prosperous London mercers, close to the Crown during turbulent years of the English Reformation. Later on there were many notable people on her family, as an example; Henry Hart - Commissary General of Ireland, Colonel Henry Hickman - commanded his own regiment during Queen Anne's reign.

Irene had 10 sisters and brothers who all were socially active and have left some notable marks behind to local Irish history.

[Noor]

Brothers and sisters:

Elizabeth Gore Hickman 1888 - Unknown

Elizabeth was senior nurse in Rochdale from 1914. She is mentioned in the British Journal of Nursing during the Great War.

[Noor]

Thomas O'Brien Gore Hickman 1892 - 1982

Thomas served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 7th Battalion, "D" Company as a 2nd Lieutenant. Later on served with the Royal Air Force. After the war he was District Inspector of Royal Irish Constabulary Auxiliary Division. He was heavily involved in the Selton Hill ambush that took place 11th March 1921 between Mohill and Fenagh, County Leitrim. Soon after that he left from Ireland and finally settled in Canada. As a result, their family house in Kilmore was burned by IRA.

[Noor]

Norman Gore Hickman 1883 - 1965

Educated at Roscaberry, Co.Cork and the Abbey, Tipperary. He was Clerk in the Bank of Ireland. During the war served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 7th Battalion, "D" Company. After Gallipoli he was also commissioned to officer rank.

[Noor]

Poole Henry Gore Hickman 1880 - 1915

Educated at the Trinity College (B.A.) in Dublin. He was Barrister on Munster Circuit Court. When the Great War broke out, he was commissioned and was made Captain 7th January 1915. He was made commanding officer of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 7th Battalion, "D" Company. He was killed in Gallipoli when he was leading bayonet charge on the 16th August 1915.

Newspaper extract:

Captain Poole Hickman - Clare Champion 4th September 1915.

Killed at Gallipoli - Death of Gallant Clare Officer

"Captain Poole H. Hickman B,L. Kilmore, in this County, was killed in action at Gallipoli in the 16th. The sad news caused deep regret throughout the country, for the deceased was a great favourite amongst all classes. He was very popular in legal circles, and enjoyed a lucrative practice. The deepest sympathy felt for his family in their sad bereavement, Captain Hickman was only 35 years old. He had a brilliant collegiate course and was a well known Rugby Footballer being Captain of the famous Wanderers Club in 1908. He was called to the Bar (???) in 1909, At the outbreak of the was he joined the 7th Dublin Fusiliers as a Lieutenant and was promoted Captain and placed in command of D Company. In his last letter home, he vividly described the operations on the Peninsula, in which his regiment took part, between 7th and 14th August. After landing they were told off a take a hill three and a quarter miles distant but they not advanced one hundred yards when they were greeted with a hail of shrapnel. It was awe inspiring but ghastly. The advance continued, the enemy had the range to a yard and a tornado of high exploses and shrapnel swept the place. The serious business had begun and they were being heavily (???). The heat was also intense, a target to the enemy they advanced in long lines and got to about 600 yards of the hill, when they got cover. The summit was gained and taken at the point of bayonet, the Turks falling in all directions. It was a magnificent performance, and they were congratulated on it, and called the place Fort Dublin. It was an achievement which will ever add luster to the records of the Dublin Fusiliers.

(looks like electronic copying have made some mistakes but overhaul picture is there)

Edited July 10, 2014 by Noor

[Noor]

Edmond Ivan Gore Hickman 1898 - 1940

During the Great War he was 2nd Lieutenant in the Connaught Rangers. After the war he lived in Dublin but moved to England later on (probably after 1921). During the Second World War he died of wounds on the 25th June 1940, serving as a Captain with the Cheshire Regiment.

[Noor]

Francis Gore Hickman 1879 - 01.12.1940

He was solicitor in Ennis. Not married. Also Francis was renowned jockey in young age. Many may recall the brass plate "Kerin-Hickman-O'Donnell" on the entrance to his office in Ennis, Co.Clare.

[Noor]

Dorothy Gore Hickman 1900 - Unknown

She lived some moment with the sisters Elizabeth and Irene in Dublin, 48 Northumberland Road, Ballsbridge.

[Noor]

Percival Gore Hickman 1881 - 1908

Died young age due to the rugby accident in Dublin

[Noor]

Irene Gore Hickman

She appears on the 1911 Census in England, showing her as a family visitor. During the Great War she engaged from City of Dublin (Red Cross district 28) on the 31st July 1916 age 26. She was working as a nurse for Voluntary Aid Detachment in Bournemouth Military Hospital until 22nd December 1917 when she was transferred to France Military. She stayed in France until 14th March 1919. Medal Index Card shows that she became entitled for her service Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to trace her any future yet - I am not sure did she staid in Dublin or emigrated as well.

Also looks like one of the brothers ended up in Brazil, where he settled in. Again, at this point I am not able to confirm it fully yet.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Timo - some really excellent research on a distinguished Irish family. I enjoyed reading through. Mervyn