Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday May 10th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

News has been received that Gunner David Hickling, R.F.A. of Belvoir Road, Coalville, was killed in action on April 29th. Writing to the deceased’s wife, who lives with his parents on Belvoir Road, a comrade says that Gunner Hickling was killed by shellfire on the morning of April 29th. The letter continues, “All the signallers were in the telephone pit when the Boche had a direct hit on the pit, killing three and wounding five. I was in the pit at the time, but was a lucky fellow. I escaped with a few scratches and a touch of gas. He will be buried by us tonight. Will close with deepest sympathy from the officers, N.C.O.’s and men.” Gunner Hickling joined up about two years ago, and had been in France a little over a year. In civil life, he assisted his father in the business of a confectioner and was shortly to have taken over the business on his own account.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 17th, 1918

THANKS

Mr and Mrs F. Hickling and Family desire through this medium to thank all friends for kind expressions of sympathy extended to them in their recent great bereavement through the loss of their son, Gunner David Hickling, killed in action, April 29th, 1918.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 2nd, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In ever-loving remembrance of our dearly beloved Son, Gunner D. Hickling, R.F.A., who was killed in Ypres on April 29th, 1918.

“Do not ask us if we miss him,
There is such a vacant place;
Shall we forget his footsteps,
Or his dear and smiling face?”

From his sorrowing Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters.

In ever-loving remembrance of my dear husband, David Hickling, R.F.A. who was killed in Ypres, on April 29th, 1918.

“Sleep on dear husband, kind and true,
No friend on earth I find like you,
For me you always did your best,
May God grant you eternal rest.”

From his loving Wife.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 15/2/2018