Hawkins, W J
W J HAWKINS
There is no trace of a W J HAWKINS in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s dateset or in Soldiers Died in the Great War .
However, according to the Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance, a William James HAWKINS was a Company Sergeant-Major in the 23rd (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment, number 700745, who died of gas-consumption at the Military Sanatorium, Ware, Herts, on 15 November 1919, aged 24.
He enlisted 17 September 1914 for four years at Clapham Junction, London; his next-of-kin was his father of St Alban’s, Herts. He served at Home until 13 March 1915, in France from 14 March 1915, embarking at Southampton, until 26 December 1916, during which time he was an unpaid Lance-Corporal from 13 November 1915 and then paid Lance-Corporal from 18 December 1915. Promoted to Corporal 11 March 1916 and unpaid Lance-Sergeant from 27 July 1916. Promoted to Sergeant 10 November 1916, and suffered a gun shot wound 7 December 1916, was at the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station from 16 to 26 December 1916 when he returned to England, where he served until 21 January 1918. Back to France 22 January 1918, transferred to the Middlesex Regiment 28 January 1918, posted to the 1/19th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (St Pancras) number 625113, and posted to the 23rd Battalion London Regiment 15 April 1918, where he resumed his original number. Promoted Warrant Officer Class II 28 September 1918, suffered from influenza from 9 November 1918, and served at Home from 13 January 1919. Was discharged 4 February 1919, his address was in Watford, and was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 14 March 1915.
Son of Alfred and Clara Ann (nee LANGFORD) HAWKINS.
His parents married 1890 in the Marylebone, London district. Alfred died 1919 in the Watford district aged 54; Clara died 21 March 1952 in St Alban’s aged 82.
William was born 1895 in Aldenham, Herts, and attended Watford Grammar School from September 1907. He was buried 18 November in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
On the 1901 Census, aged 5 he lived in Aldenham, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, at school aged 15, he lived in Garston, Herts, with his parents and two siblings.
Service number
700745Rank
Company Sergeant-MajorUnit
23rd (County of London) BattalionRegiment
Place buried
Date of death
15/11/1919Age at death
24Place of death
Awards
D.C.M.Memorial(s)
Notes
Although listed in the Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance, his name is not included in the In Memoriam list at the front of the book. Also, although buried in Vicarage Road Cemetery, he does not appear on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's list of burials- 1st S.W. Herts Scout Troop [in St Mary's Parish Church Watford] (4)
- Abbot's Langley Herts War Memorial (17)
- Aldbury Herts War Memorial (1)
- Aldenham Herts War Memorial (located in Letchmore Heath Herts) (8)
- All Saints Church Croxley Green Herts (12)
- All Saints Church Harrow Weald Middx (2)
- All Saints Church Hertford (1)
- All Saints Church King's Langley Herts (1)
- All Saints Church Leavesden Herts (31)
- All Saints Church Witham Essex (3)