BX June 8, 1916
Major Frank Elsworth Hicks Latest Local Ypres Victim – Was Commander of Company in Lt.-Col. Genet’s Battalion
Major Frank E. Hicks is the fifth Brantford officer to suffer a casualty in the recent severe fighting on the Ypres salient. Word was received here last night by his wife that he had been wounded in the left knee, but not seriously.
Major Hicks left Brantford with the 58th Battalion, of which he was a company commander. He was for many years connected with the 38th Dufferin Rifles, and in civil life was cashier for the Massey-Harris Company here. His wife is residing in the city.
The telegram received giving the information was signed “Frank.” It is thought that he had a friend send the news in that form to break it gently.
BX June 14, 1916
Major Frank Elsworth Hicks Is Doing Well
That Major Frank E. Hicks, who was reported wounded last week, is doing nicely was the substance of a cable received by Miss Hicks. The telegram received from Ottawa stated that he was wounded. Immediately Miss Hicks cabled and received two replies, the first from France, stating that he was doing nicely and the second from a hospital at Shorncliffe, to which he had been moved. Major Hicks was wounded in the knee by a shell.
BX June 27, 1916
Major Frank Elsworth Hicks Unfit Further – Wound Received Will Disable Him For Further Activities
Major Frank Elsworth Hicks, Brantford, with the 58th Battalion, through injuries recently sustained at the front, will be unfit for further service. This information is given to his mother, Mrs. G. Hicks, 34 Grey Street, in a letter he wrote in hospital. When the report came here recently it stated that he was only slightly wounded. The letter he writes to his mother is as follows:
I am going to try to write you a few lines, which is a very difficult task, as I cannot sit up. I was wounded June 6 by a piece of shell, which badly smashed my left knee joint. I was operated on the same day, but without an X-ray they could not locate a piece of shell which had penetrated the knee cap, so I was moved on the next day to another hospital, where an operation removed it. My leg was badly smashed and I am lucky they could save it. It is now doing nicely, but it will probably be six months before I can get about much, but as soon as I can travel I shall be sent to England, and there when I am able, I shall be sent home as I am unfit for further service. I am being well cared for. This is said to be the best hospital in France.
BX October 24, 1916
Major Frank Elsworth Hicks Cannot Come Now
Major Frank Hicks, who was so badly wounded recently as to end his fighting days, was expected back in Brantford this week. Word, however, has been received here that his condition was such that he could not travel, so his arrival is now indefinite.
BX November 27, 1916
Two Brantford Men Returning – Major Frank Elsworth Hicks and Captain Dr. Charles Roderick Blackburn Crompton Were on S.S. Corsican
Another of Brantford’s volunteers, who has been severely wounded, is returning home. On Saturday last the Misses Hicks received a cablegram from their brother, Major Frank Hicks, to the effect that he was nearing Canadian shores on the steamship Corsican and expected to land at Halifax this morning. Major Hicks left Brantford with the 58th Battalion. He was wounded on June 5 last by a piece of shell, which badly smashed his left knee joint. For a long time he was unable to even sit up, but after careful treatment the wound has recovered sufficiently to allow of his returning home, to the delight of his many friends.
A Canadian Press dispatch received shortly before noon today stated that the Allan liner Corsican had discharged her passengers at St. John. The passengers included a military party numbering 175 of all ranks, a large civilian passenger list and a heavy consignment of mails.
In addition to Major Hicks the list includes Captain Charles Crompton of the 4th General Hospital, Saloniki, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Crompton of this city, who is returning on furlough.
