Name
Frederick J Hawkins
1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/08/1918
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
14708
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ALBERT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
II. A. 2.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Frederick was born in 1892 in Hitchin, and he was christened in Hitchin on 17 July 1892. His parents were John F and Lillia A Hawkins (née).
In 1891 the family were living at 1 Lyles Row, Hitchin. Present were both parents: John (28) and Lillia (25(, with John working as a general labourer. Their only child was Frederick at just 3 months.
In 1901 the family were living at 5 Sunnyside, Hitchin. Present were both parents and Frederick, with John working as a joiners labourer.
By 1911 the family had moved a few doors to Sunnyside, Hitchin, Herts. All were present with John and Frederick, now 20, both working labourers in the brick
Frederick was employed in the Surveyors Department of Hitchin Urban District Council when he enlisted in September 1914.
His father, at the age of 51, also joined up in 1915 but at the time of Fred's death was working for shipbuilders at Stockton-on-Tees.
Officially he was recorded as born, living and enlisting in Hitchin, Herts.
Wartime Service
Although partially deaf, Frederick was sent to France at the end of 1915 as a battalion cook - though this did not prevent him from being put into the firing line on occasions. He had been allocated the Regimental Number 14708 and posted to the 2nd Battalion which was in the 54th Brigade of the 18th Division of III Corps in the 4th Army.
The Hertfordshire Express reported that he was wounded on two occasions, the first time through both shoulders and the second time from a bayonet wound to his head. However, medical records show that he was admitted to the 31 Ambulance Chain on 10 August 1917 with a gunshot wound the his jaw and was then entrained to a hospital at Etaples
He was finally killed in action by shellfire.
His death was on the day following a successful attack by a Company of the 2nd Bedfords on a stronghold called Shamrock Hill east of Albert.
He was buried in Grave A2 of the Albert Communal Cemetery Extension II.
Additional Information
After his death £6 8s 4d was authorised to go to his mother and father jointly on 25 February 1919. Later, a war gratuity of £19 was authorised to be paid to them on 12 December 1919.
His pension cards record Lillia Hawkins as his mother and his dependant, living at 8 Sunnyside, Hitchin. She was awarded a pension of 5s a week from 11 March 1919. However this was later amended to Alfred Hoar at 137 Stevenage Road, Hitchin and then to Doris Hoar at that address.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
