About

In 1942 Tommy Hicks was accepted as a volunteer into a new unit. The 1 Para Sqn RE, a small 150 man unit attached to The 1st Para Brigade. He served with them until 1945. Tom attended RAF Ringway Course 15, which ran from 6 to 16 June 1942. He was a No 1 Bren Gunner. His first combat mission was in North Africa 9 November 1942, Op Torch. As a member of C Troop, 1st Para Sqn. In July 1943 he was sent to Sicily, his objective was Primosole bridge. 1800 men where sent on the invasion of Sicily, less than 1 third reached the bridge. In September 1944 Tom was to see action again as he took part in Op Market Garden, the battle for the Arnhem Bridge. He defended the 1st Airborne Div HQ at The Harteinstein Hotel. After having his wrist broken and being shot in the neck twice, he became paralysed and was eventually captured by the Germans, taken to the Apeldoorn Hospital where he recovered enough to be sent to Stalag 11B. His POW number was 118259. The Germans forced him to work down a lead mine in horrendous conditions. He was further injured by fall ins.