He was born in Ham Green in Somerset to Samuel Withers, a veterinary surgeon, and Martha Lancashire.
[1] Hicks joined the army as Veterinary Surgeon with the Royal Horse Artillery on 6 March 1854.
[2] He was involved in the Crimean War and was present at the Charge of the Light Brigade, the Alma, Sebastapol, Balaklava and Inkerman.
[2] After he left the army Withers adopted the surname Lancashire as a racing name; he owned a number of steeple-chasers including Brunswick which finished fourth in the 1890 Grand National.
[3][4][5] In the 1890s, he became the Lord of the Manor of Stockbridge in Hampshire until 1902 when it was sold to Mr. R. P.