Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021:
Alexander Hickin was born in Auburn but as his parents were deceased, he nominated his sister, Mrs Emily Gallaway of Graham Street, Auburn, as his next-of-kin when he enlisted on 30 August 1915. He was 23 years and 6 months old.
Private Hickin took nine months to reach the Western Front via Egypt and Marseilles. He marched into the 3rd Battalion on 25 May 1916 and was killed two months later, on the first day the First Australian Division was launched into the First Battle of the Somme around the French village of Pozières. Hickin was one of 15 Auburn Memorial men lost in the fighting around Pozières but whose bodies were never found. Their names are inscribed on the wall of the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.
Hickin's sister received his medals. In 1923, she also received the following advice from Army Base Records:
"It is understood however that Mr. H. W. Kamp, Canadian Pacific Building, 98 Boulevard Adolphe Max, Brussels, will supply a panoramic view of each and any completed English Military Cemetery in either France or Belgium for 12/6, or three postal card sized photograph of permanent headstone close-up view with film for 7/6." Sadly, the letter goes on to say no grave for Hickin existed, "at this late juncture it must be reluctantly concluded that the search parties have not succeeded in finding his resting place. The records show that he was buried in the vicinity of Pozières but the surface markings were doubtless obliterated by shellfire during later engagements."
Alexander Hickin is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial (added after unveiling day, 30 April 1922)
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal
- 1914-20 Victory Medal
