Leading Seaman George Hicks (D/SSX 22741) served in the Royal Navy during World War Two. Born on 30th December 1918, he was the son of Robert Hicks and Evelyn Hicks of Belfast, Co. Antrim.
He died on 25th February 1944 aged 26 years old on HMS Mahratta. At 2055hrs, Mahratta took a hit from GNAT (German Navy Acoustic Torpedo) while escorting Convoy JW-57.
Imperial War Museum Photo: A 15579 (Part of the Admiralty Official Collection). British Destroyer HMS Mahratta underway at Greenock, Scotland on 24th March 1943. Photo taken by Lieutenant SJ Beadell.
The British Destroyer exploded and went down in minutes around 280 miles north of North Cape. HMS Wanderer picked up only 16 survivors from the icy waters. The Commanding Officer, 10 other Officers, and 209 Ratings died when Mahratta went down.
George Hicks has no known grave. His name is on Panel 85, Column 2 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon.