21 Facts About Pip Hicks

Pip Hicks was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1914, during the First World War, and fought on the Western Front.

Pip Hicks commanded the brigade in the Mediterranean theatre during Operation Ladbroke, part of the Allied invasion of Sicily, in July 1943, as well as during the Battle of Arnhem, part of Operation Market Garden, in September 1944.

Pip Hicks was born on 25 September 1895 in Warwick, Warwickshire.

Pip Hicks was granted a regular army commission on 23 June 1916.

In May 1918, Pip Hicks transferred to the 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which was part of the 10th Brigade of the 4th Division.

Pip Hicks commanded his party in a most skilful manner, and was largely responsible for its success.

On 8 November 1918, Pip Hicks was again mentioned in despatches.

Pip Hicks remained in the army after the First World War and was promoted to captain in January 1922.

Pip Hicks served in British India from November 1924 to January 1926.

In November 1924 Pip Hicks became the aide-de-camp to the district commander at Karachi until January 1926.

In January 1937 Pip Hicks returned to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which was now back in the United Kingdom and based at Tidworth Camp.

Pip Hicks remained with the 2nd Battalion until January 1939, when he transferred again to the 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which was serving in Faizabad at the time.

At the start of the Second World War in September 1939, Pip Hicks was still a major, but was promoted to acting lieutenant colonel in May 1940 and commander of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which from February 1940 was serving in the 144th Brigade of the 48th Infantry Division.

The battalion played a prominent part in the Battle of Dunkirk, part of the Battle of France, for which Pip Hicks was awarded a Distinguished Service Order.

In 1942, Pip Hicks was given command of an airborne formation, the 1st Airlanding Brigade, part of the 1st Airborne Division, and in 1943 was promoted to brigadier.

Pip Hicks's brigade went on to sustain severe casualties over the next few days before being withdrawn to the United Kingdom with less than half of its original strength.

Pip Hicks was succeeded in command of the brigade by Brigadier Roger Bower.

On 23 March 1945, Pip Hicks was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

In May 1948 Pip Hicks retired from the army and became a regional commissioner for the International Refugee Organization in Germany between 1948 and 1952.

Pip Hicks followed this by being on the board of the National Playing Fields Association in London, between 1955 and 1961.

Pip Hicks died on 8 October 1967 at Hartley Wintney in Hampshire.