Edward Tickell

Edward Tickell was a fine all-round sportsman. He was an excellent fencer and was a member of the Épée Club. As a pistol shooter, he was a member of the Pistol Club and represented England in a triangular match against France and Belgium at Ostend in 1909. Tickell also enjoyed field sports, particularly fishing and big game hunting. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, and rowed for First Trinity. Also during his time at Cambridge, Tickell became the youngest person to climb the Matterhorn.

Despite being the son of a Royal Navy Commander, Tickell went to the Sandhurst Military College after University, where he passed out with flying colours. He rose through the ranks from being a gentleman cadet at Sandhurst to eventually becoming a colonel in the 14th Hussars. Amongst other places, Tickell served in South Africa, Algiers, Uganda, Transvaal, and India. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), Queen’s Medal, and Uganda Medal. Despite being retired from the Army, Tickell re-joined and commanded a cavalry regiment at the outbreak of World War I.

With being able to speak fluent French, Arabic, Hindustani, and Swahili, Tickell was called upon to act as a translator on many occasions. In 1903 he was appointed a Justice of Peace (JP) for County Kildare in Ireland, and in 1915 was appointed a High Sheriff for the County. The family estate included the famous Irish race course at Punchestown. After retiring, Tickell bought a Villa at San Remo, Italy, and a nearby golf course was his idea. Tickell was a direct descendant of the 18th century English poet Thomas Tickell (1685-1740).