Name
Arthur Pangbourne Hawkins
1882
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/04/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
F/3390
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
23rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DICKEBUSCH NEW MILITARY CEMETERY
AA. 32.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, Hitchin British Boys' School Memorial, Hitchin
Pre War
Arthur was born in 1882 in Hitchin and christened on 29 November 1882 at Holy Savior Church, Hitchin. His parents were George and Matilda Sarah Hawkins (née Pangbourne) and they married on 28 October 1869 Holy Savior Church, Hitchin.
In 1891 the family were living at 6 Bucklersbury, Hitchin, which was there address in all the subsequent censuses. Present were both parents: George (49) and Matilda (41) with George working as a clothier. Hawkins had a large clothing store in Hitchin in Bucklersbury, which operated until 2018.
Their children were: George W (19), Percy J (14), Oscar I (12), Emily Elizabeth (10) and Arthur Pangbourne Hawkins (8). There was also an older brother not present Oscar James.
He attended Hitchin British Boys' School.
In 1901 both parents were present, along with children James (22), Arthur, now 17, working as a clothier’s clerk, and Elizabeth (Emily Elizabeth).
The 1911 census recorded they had been married for 7 years with 6 children, of whom 1 had died. The children now present were Emily and Arthur now recorded as a shop assistant.
Arthur was called for service in Hitchin on 6 June 1916 (probably conscripted). At that time he was living at 6 Bucklersbury, Hitchin, working as a clothier, was 33 years and 8 months old. He was described as 5’ 5” tall, weighing 139 lbs/
His father died in 1919.
He was officially recorded as born in Hitchin and enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
Arthur was given the Regimental Number F/3390 and posted to the 23rd Battalion which was part of the 123rd Brigade in the 41st Division.
After some 4 months of training, during which he was [posted to the 6th Battalion (23/9/1016) he embarked for France on 12 October 1916, arriving in Etaples on the same day and posted to the 23rd Battalion. It seems that he had dentistry and dentures fitted around 17 October 1916 and finally joined his Battalion in the field 21 January 1917 and was wounded in action on 2 April 1917. He was taken to the 138th Field Ambulance but died of his wounds that day.
He died of wounds in Belgium in the Messines area.
The Battalion War Diary for the 2nd April 1917 records "signs of preparation for offensive action in our sub-section noticed". This was the work in preparation for the successful Messines offensive and in which the Battalion was engaged. The Battalion was north east of the ruins of St. Eloi in the vicinity of Triangular Wood.
He was buried in Grave AA 32 in the Dickebusch New Military Cemetery in Belgium.
Additional Information
After his death his personal property was sent to his father George W Hawkins on 18 September 1917, care of Hawkins solicitors at 84 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin. These were recorded as including a book, cotton bag, letters, photos, cards, mirror, coin, wristwatch (face protector broken), watch chain, upper and lower dentures, safety razor, big metal box, rosary, pipe lighter and crucifix.
After his death £5 14s 7d was authorised to go to the executors for his father George Perey J Hawkins on 18 September 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid on 24 October 1919.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
