Herts at War - a community led project to commemorate the diverse experiences of Hertfordshire during the First World War.

Name

Albert Hawkes
1890

Conflict

First World War

Date of Death / Age

03/07/1917
27

Rank, Service Number & Service Details

Private
27500
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.

Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards

British War and Victory medals

Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country

ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN
P. II. G. 6A.
France

Headstone Inscription

LOVE CASTETH OUT FEAR

UK & Other Memorials

Cheshunt Town Memorial, Christ Church (Formerly Holy Trinity Church) Memorial Waltham Cross

Pre War

Albert Hawkes was born in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire in 1890, son of Thomas Hawkes, an employee of the Royal Small Arms Factory, and Sarah Hawkes (nee Martin). The youngest of four children although one died in infancy. Nellie/ Ellen/ Victoria (B 1883) (depending on the record) and Clara (B 1888).

1891 Census records Albert aged 1, living with his parents and two sisters at, 3 Dee Bank Cottages, Eleanor Road, Waltham Cross, Herts. The family also had three Lodgers.

1901 Census records the family living at 68 Eleanor Road, Waltham Cross, Herts, and they have one boarder.

1911 Census records Albert aged 21, working as an Assistant in a Grocers Shop, living with his mother Sarah, and his two sisters, still at 68 Eleanor Road. His father Thomas is recorded as an Inmate at the Edmonton Union Workhouse, 77 Bridport Road, Upper Edmonton, Middx. His father died the following year 1912.

Wartime Service

Albert enlisted at Bedford, Beds, posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment with the service number 27500. On completion of his training Albert was sent to France, seeing action on the Western Front. He was wounded on 14^th March 1917, and admitted to Hospital at Rouen, where he died of his wounds on 3^rd July 1917, aged 27. At the time he was wounded he was serving with “B” Company, 7^th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He is buried in the CWGC, St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

Additional Information

His mother Sarah received a Dependents Pension of 11/- a week from 15^th January 1918. Sarah was still living at 68 Eleanor Road, Waltham Cross. She also received his effects of £2-9s-8d, Pay Owing and his War Gratuity of £5.

His Headstone Inscription "LOVE CASTETH OUT FEAR" was requested by his mother Sarah Hawkes.

The Battalion War Diary records the date he was wounded.

Acknowledgments

Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild