Other Information:John was educated at Horsham Grammar School. He enlisted in the Medical Staff Corps on 25th April 1891 under the service number 9235, and served as a Private from 25th April 1891 to 25th February 1898; during this time he was posted to West Africa, in the Ashtanti campaign in 1896 and then to Egypt, in the Sudan campaign, from 1896 to 1898. He was also promoted to as Lance Corporal on 26th February 1898. In the spring of 1989, John married Emily Morris, daughter of James Morris of Eastbourne. He then went to South Africa and served there from 30th September 1899 - 21st May 1903, and in the Boer War. During this time, he was promoted to Corporal (RAMC) on 1st April 1899; Lance Serjeant on 18th November 1899; Serjeant on 30th March 1900, and Staff Serjeant 2/class from 1st July 1901. He was then stationed in the UK from 22nd May 1903. John gained the rank of Quartermaster Serjeant on 7th March 1907, and was then posted to Gibraltar on 6th September 1912, serving there up to 15th September 1914. During these campaigns he was awarded the Ashanti Star, the Sudan Medal and Khedive’s Sudan Medal , the Queen’s South Africa with clasps Relief of Ladysmith, OFS, Transvaal [served at one stage at No 12 Stationary Hospital, Ladysmith], the King’s South Africa, with usual two clasps, the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Edw. VII, and gained a comment on roll : Hospital Ship Orcana [based at Durban]. On 12th August 1914, John gained a commission at the rank of Quartermaster and Honorable Lieutenant. He returned to the UK on 16th September 1914, then entered the war in France on 7th October 1914 with the 21st Field Ambulance - [1914 Officers List] He was promoted to Quartermaster & Honorable Captain on 12th August 1917 and later served with No 45 Casualty Clearing Station - being mentioned in despatches by Sir Douglas Haig on 16th March 1919 and awarded the Order of the British Empire, whist serving with this unit. John returned to the UK on 23rd October 1919 but exactly one year later, on 23rd October 1920, was sent to Mesopotamia, gaining the General Service Medal and clasp for his service in Iraq with No 3 British General Hospital. He then left for Egypt, arriving on 30th March 1922 and served there until 14th April 1924. He then continued his service in the UK until 24th October 1926, when he retired on reaching the age limit - his total service being 35 years and 183 days. After his army career, John lived at 5 London Road, Hailsham, where he died. He was the son of Thomas Wickersham. [Information researched and kindly provided by Peter Duckers]
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