Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1945

Citation:
"This officer was living in France at the time of the Armistice of June 1940 and was interned by the Germans. He escaped from the internment camp and joined the French resistance movement early in June 1943. In September of that year he contacted a British resistance organiser in the Saone & Loire and after a period of training he was given the task of arms instructor in the maquis.
In January 1944 he was sent to organise the AMBERIEU area. With great energy and drive he built up an effective sabotage circuit based in St. RAMBERT and PONT D'AIN, and organised a number of parachute receptions to supply his groups with arms and explosives. These weapons were fully used after D-Day, when considerable damage was caused to enemy communications by the cutting of railway and telephone lines, by derailments of trains and by ambushes against enemy convoys. Lieut. HICKS played a courageous and distinguished part in many of these operations.
On 3rd Aug. 1944 he was arrested by the French Milice and subsequently handed over to the Gestapo, who deported him to Germany. He was released and repatriated to this country in April 1945.
For his loyal and devoted work in French resistance over a long period under trying and dangerous conditions, it is recommended that this officer be appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division)"
Signed: Colin Gubbins, Major-General. 11.9.45.