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No. 18452, Private Dick P. HAWKES
Aged 25
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Dick Hawkes was born in Swaffham Prior in 1890 (Newmarket Q1-1890 3B:524), son of Francis Peter and Susan HAWKES (née BROWN). There was a brother Danby Palmby HAWKES born and died in 1884, the names being used for the next son. His brother Danby Palmby HAWKES served as Francis Danby Palmby HAWKES. The initial 'P' in many of the childrens' names is for Palmby. Dick is Richard on the memorial, the only place "Richard" has been found. 1891 census...Aged 1, he was at High Street, Swaffham Prior with his father Francis P HAWKES, [45] a farmer born Burwell; his mother Susan [36]; sisters Elizabeth [10], Annie P. [9] and Susan P. [4], and brothers William P. [8], Danby P [5] Frankie P. [3], and Frederick P. [2]. All except his father were born in Swaffham Prior. His father died in 1900 1901 census...Aged 11, he was at High Street, Swaffham Prior with his widowed mother, brothers Charles P (auctioneer's assistant), Frankie P.(yardman on farm), Frederick P, Harry [10] and Edward P [7] both born in Swaffham Prior. Brother Danby, a grocer's assistant, was living at 116 New Street, Cambridge, with his cousin Robert DAWSON [32] milkman born Burwell, and his wife Amy [27] born Swaffham Prior. 1911 census...Aged 21, a milkman on farm, he was at 83 Norwich Street, Cambridge with his mother and brother Harry (blacksmith). Brother Danby was not found in this census.
The pension card records another soldier in the family, No.5025 Private Frank Hawkes in the Leicestershire regiment.
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Enlisted in Newmarket The battalion was sent along the Hulluch Road to Vermelles. An attack was ordered against Little Willie on the Hohenzollern Redoubt at 8.30 pm.which if successful was to be followed on beyond Fosse 8. The attack was postponed several times and did not take place until 2 am on 3rd. The right was set to advance toward a red light outside a German trench, but the delays and position of the moon had changed considerably and they had to grope their way forward, minus 'D' Company who had not arrived. To add to the confusion the Germans chose that night not to light their red lamp. There was no artillery support and the attempt failed.It later transpired that 'D' Company had been ordered elsewhere, kept in the front line for a night and then sent off to another part of the line. All in all it seems to have been a complete muddle. The Suffolks had 34 men killed that day, only 4 have identified graves, the rest are named on the Loos Memorial, Dud Corner. The confusion here is that brother Edward served as brother Frederick photo: Roy Beardsworth and on the memorial of the Zion Church, Swaffham Prior. click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
