Herbert Stephen Hickmott

Personnel header
Mr Herbert Stephen "Bertie" Hickmott
Life dates
05 Dec 1910 - 02 May 1973
Profile Picture
Profile picture
Postings
Unit or location Role Posted from until
Hamstreet Woods Outstation Operator Unknown 20 Jul 1944
National ID
DJGH 104/1
Occupation

Milk roundsman / Dairy farmer

Address
"Hillside" Hamstreet, Ashford, Kent then Hampden Farm, Hamstreet, Ashford, Kent
Other information

Publicity from Adrian Westwood lead to the identification of the operator of the wireless set at Hamstreet Woods. According to an article in the Kentish Express, Thomas Newton-Taylor, from Loose, near Maidstone, recognised the account as fitting with his father-in-laws tales of having a clandestine wireless station in case of invasion. Herbert Hickmott ran a milk round from nearby Hampden Farm. His travels around the area delivering milk, would have given him access to contacts, even after an invasion, as the need for deliveries would mean the Germans would likely allow his work to continue. Thomas and his son Paul visited the bunker and were photographed there for the article.

Other pictures
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Caption & credit
Thomas and Paul Newton-Taylor at the site (from Adrian Westwood 1997)
References

James Plunkett, English Nature,
Thomas and Paul Newton-Taylor
Adrian Westwood
Kentish Express