Name
Harry Hawkins
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/08/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
39551
Gloucestershire Regiment
1/4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
NEW IRISH FARM CEMETERY
Plot 1 Row C Grave 15
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Thy Will Be Done
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, Hitchin British Boys' School Memorial, Hitchin
Pre War
Harry was born around 1894 in Hitchin and his parents were Henry and Lucy Annie Hawkins.
In 1901 the family were living at 6 Thorpes Yard, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Henry (40) and Lucy (45), with Henry and working as an oil and clourman’s labourer. Their children were: Nellie (15) and Harry (7).
Harry attended Hitchin Boys British School.
By 1911 the family had moved to 16 Exchange Yard, Hitchin. Present were both parents, Henry now working as a general labourer. The census recorded they had been married for 27 years with 9 children, of whom 6 had died. All the children listed above were present plus Emily (26). Harry, now 17. Was working as a house boy.
Before joining the army he was employed at Messrs Spencer's boot and shoe shop in Bucklersbury, Hitchin. Later he worked for Boot's Chemist shop in Letchworth. He was a member of the Church Lads' Brigade and had been a teacher for five years at St. Mary's Hitchin Sunday School. He was also a keen member of the Adult School in Hitchin.
He originally enlisted into the Hertfordshire Regiment between 12 January and 22 February 1915.
Officially Harry was recorded as born in Hitchin, Herts and enlisted ion Hertford.
Wartime Service
Harry was originally Private 4614 in the 1st Bn.: Hertfordshire Regiment. Later he was transferred to the Gloucestershire Regiment as 39551, first to the 8th Bn and then posted to the l/4th (City of Bristol) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment of the Territorial Force. It is not clear when he went overseas, but it was not until after 1915, nor when he was transferred.
This 4th Gloucesters were part of 144 Brigade of the 48th Division (T.F.). He was considered the most efficient corporal in his platoon. He died of wounds received in action when going into the trenches on the night of the 13th August 1917 in Flanders. This was the second time that he had been wounded.
He was buried in Plot 1, Row C, Grave 15 in the New Irish Farm Cemetery, St. Jan in Belgium. There is a private inscription on his stone reading "Thy Will be done" ordered by his mother while living at 16, Exchange Cottages, Market Place, Hitchin, Herts.
Additional Information
After his death £3 2s 2d was authorised to go to Lucy Annie Hawkins, his mother, on 29 November 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £11 10s was authorised to be paid to her, on 29 October 1919.
His pension cards record his mother, Lucy Annie Hawkins, as his dependant, living at 16 Exchange Yard, Hitchin. She was awarded a pension of 7s a week for life from 26 February 1919.
His mother also ordered his headstone inscription, while living at 16, Exchange Cottages, Market Place, Hitchin, Herts. it reads: "Thy Will Be Done".
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
