[1] His father was born in Somerset, England, and arrived in the Solomons around 1875, becoming "a prosperous and influential trader and planter who owned several sailing vessels and significant tracts of land in Roviana and Marovo lagoons".

In Sydney, as a schoolboy, Wickham would work as a house boy and in his free time would swim at the sea baths in Bronte Beach where he was often observed by prominent members of the Australian sporting scene including notable Australian coach of the time, George Farmer.

In April 1918, Wickham took what was purported to be a record-breaking 62-meter swan dive into the Yarra River at Deep Rock Swimming Club.

Wickham's dive was partially organised by notorious businessman, John Wren to raise funds for Australian soldiers.

Corbett published by Sydney-based newspaper The Referee on Wednesday 17 April 1918 describes Wickham's momentous 62 meter high dive.

Too old for competitive swimming, Wickham drove taxis to make ends meet and took part in a variety of other jobs.

After the death of his father in the late 1920s, Wickham permanently returned to the Solomon Islands and led a life of obscurity.

[1] With the exception of working as a scout in World War II, Wickham spent the last years of his life in Munda.

While in the Solomon Islands, he is honoured in many sites including a swimming pool in Honiara carrying his namesake since 1973.