Looking for Information

[jeffbrown67]

I am looking for information on my great grandfather.

Cecil Havelock Lick
Canadian, service first for Royal Naval Air Squadron #3, later RAF #203
He flew a Sopwith Camel, and served from 1916-1918.

I have found some of his personal documentation, I have photos passed down, but I am very interested in learning about what missions he actually participated in.

If anyone knows where to start, I would be extremely thankful! Either replying here or emailing me at jeffbrown67@gmail.com

[regular122]

Originally Posted by jeffbrown67

I am looking for information on my great grandfather.

Cecil Havelock Lick
Canadian, service first for Royal Naval Air Squadron #3, later RAF #203
He flew a Sopwith Camel, and served from 1916-1918.

I have found some of his personal documentation, I have photos passed down, but I am very interested in learning about what missions he actually participated in.

If anyone knows where to start, I would be extremely thankful! Either replying here or emailing me at jeffbrown67@gmail.com

A few items I found:

- 23 Oct 1895. Born Cecil Havelock Lick.
- 4 Apr 1917. To be confirmed in rank of 2LT with seniority date to 14 March 1917.
- 26 Jun 1917. To be Flying Officer and confirmed in rank. Promoted to temporary Lieutenant. Assigned to Special Reserve.
- 10 August 1917. Confirmed in rank.
- 8 Dec 1917. Ferrying Bristol F2b A7133 from 1ASD. Stalled in turn after t/o on ferry to 2ASD. Nosed down from 100 ft. CH Lick Injured.
- March 1918. Still assigned Special Reserve. Transfer from Canadian Royal Naval Air Service to Royal Flying Corps. Temporary First Lieutenant.
- 31 July 1918. Wounded while assigned to No. 203 Squadron during an enemy night bombing raid on Izel-le-Hameau.

I looked through the Combats in the Air Reports from Dec 1917 to Nov 1918 for No. 203 Sqdn but did not find an action listed where he filed a claim or was mentioned. He may have been assigned to the squadron after March 1918. His crash injuries may have also precluded flying from December to the date of his wounding by bombing while assigned to No. 203 Squadron.

I also looked in the Royal Aero Club Certificate Files. He was not listed there, so sadly, no picture of him when he earned his wings.

Sorry I could not find more.

Steve

[Ned]

Born 23 October,1896, Oshawa, Ontario.
1 Mar 1914 – 25 Dec 1916, worked as a School Teacher.
Enlisted 25 April,1916 at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan as Private #911012 in 196th Battalion, Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force.
Last address was 311, 9th Street, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Next-of-kin was father, William LICK of Davidson, Saskatchewan.
16 Jun 1916, transferred to Divisional Cyclist Depot.
4th Divisional Cyclist Corps (DCC).
13 Jan 1917, discharged from DCC to take-up commission in the RNAS.
[Passage to UK]
10 Apr 1917, commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant (seniority to 14 Mar 1917).
11 Apr 1917, transferred to RFC.
12 Apr 1917, 1 School of Military Aeronautics, Reading.
5 May 1917, 14 Reserve Squadron.
3 Jun 1917, 46 Reserve Squadron.
26 Jun 1917, re-designated as 46 Training Squadron.
26 Jun 1917, promoted to Lieutenant and appointed as Flying Officer.
8 Jul 1917, Assistant Instructor, 68 Training Squadron.
Assistant Instructor, 49 Training Squadron.
4 Dec 1917, 1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (ASD), St. Omer.
8 Dec 1917, hospitalised with ‘Multiple Wounds Face’.
12 Jan 1918, discharged to 1 ASD.
7-21 May 1918, leave.
25 May 1918, to England on Temporary Duty.
21 Jun – 31 Jul 1918, served with 203 sqn, RAF on the Sopwith Camel.
31 July 1918, hospitalised with ‘Gunshot Wound to Head, Fractured Cranium’.
9 Aug 1918, evacuated to England.
10 Aug 1918, 2nd Western General Hospital, Manchester.
16 Oct 1918, 203 sqn, RAF.
10 Feb 1919, Disposal Centre, Ripon.
24 Feb – 7 Mar 1918, leave.
17 Aug 1919, PP Ranges ? for demobilisation.

Died 13 Aug 1968, at North Battleford, Saskatchewan.

[Kirk R. Lowry]

Bonjour mes amis!

The Sky Their Battlefield II by Henshaw notes the following on page 194, under The Western Front, for 31st of July for 203 Sqn -

"wounded in the overnight enemy bombing raid on IZEL-LE HAMEAU (2Lt W Towell WIA; Lt CH Lick WIA; Lt YES Kirkpatrick WIA)"

Henshaw indicates that this information is based on a R.A.F Casualty Report.

Every time I open this book, which is often, I am amazed by and grateful to Trevor Henshaw.

In Collishaw & Company by Snowie, Cecil Havelock Lick is stated as having joined the R.N.A.S. from the Canadian Expeditionary Force on "14-Mar-17".

Jeff, if you do not already know, note that a photograph of 203 Squadron members appears in Fighter Pilots and Observers 1915-1939 by Milberry and Halliday which features and identifies "C.H. Lick" on page 85.

Salut!
Kirk