Honoured to be Part of the Delegation

Interviewer: We’re here for a great commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel. As a Newfoundlander and as a Veteran, tell us how you feel about being part of this delegation. I feel great. It’s my first time here. I went to Gallipoli for the 90th, ten years ago. That was amazing. But being here and just seeing the… getting an on-the-ground feel for how the lines were and what happened a hundred years ago and how they actually…. again, some people will ask like, you know, “Why didn’t these people do this or do that?” Until you’re actually on the ground and have a look at what they’ve seen, then you can probably answer the question then, or provide an answer. But yeah, no it feels great. Just driving around looking at all the sites, especially the site at Beaumont-Hamel. Just to see exactly what they faced, and how they lived. And since we’ve been here, it’s been always raining and we’re only here a couple of days. And these people had to live in a trench with no boards or whatever the case, nothing like that. And they were out in all sorts of weather. And it gives me, it gives me anyway, an appreciation for what they’ve done. And no, it’s an honour to be here. It feels really good.

Officer Hickey expresses his pride and enthusiasm for representing Newfoundlanders and the Veteran population in commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Battles of Somme and Beaumont-Hamel.

Bill Hickey

Mr. Bill Hickey was born July 5, 1956 in a small town outside of St., John’s, Newfoundland. As a young boy, Mr. Hickey always has great involvement with sports and recreation. Realizing his desire for community work, Mr. Hickey held a career as a Police Officer and as well at a very young age joined the Reserves in role as chief warrant officer having opportunities to deploy to different areas of the world. Together with this Police and Reservist career, Mr. Hickey expresses his great sense of pride for his achievements and opportunities throughout his years in service. After 34.5 years of police service, Mr. Hickey has retired and now resides in St. John’s Newfoundland with his family. As part of the delegation of Newfoundland Veterans, Mr. Hickey accepted the opportunity as part of the 100th Anniversary of Battles of Somme and Beaumont-Hamel to travel overseas to commemorate this special event.