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No. 163587, Lieutenant, Francis Danby Palmby HAWKES
Aged 32
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Francis Danby Palmby Hawkes was born in Swaffham Prior, on 31st December 1885 (apparently Newmarket Q2-1886 3B:569), son of Francis Peter and Susan HAWKES
(née BROWN). There was a Danby Palmby HAWKES born and died in 1884, perhaps a brother?. Francis junior is more often recorded as Danby Palmby HAWKES. 1891 census...Aged 5, 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], Frankie P. [3], Frederick P. [2] and Dick P. [1]. All except his father were born in Swaffham Prior. It is assumed that the middle initial of most of the family is for 'Palmby'. His father died in 1900 1901 census...Aged 15, a grocer's assistant, he was living at 116 New Street, Cambridge, with his cousin Robert DAWSON [32] milkman born Burwell, and his wife Amy [27] born Swaffham Prior and their son Willis [2] born Cambridge. Also there were Robert's mother in law Sophia PIKE [54] born Southwark, London. His widowed mother was at High Street, Swaffham Prior with his brother Charles P (auctioneer's assistant), Frankie P.(yardman on farm), Frederick P, Dick P, Harry [10] and Edward P [7] both born in Swaffham Prior. 1911 census...Not found in this census. Perhaps he was the Francis HAWKES who sailed from Liverpool on 24th March 1911 on the "Scotia" bound for Halifax.? His mother was at 83 Norwich Street, Cambridge with his brothers Dick [milkman on farm) and Harry (blacksmith). His younger brother Dick Hawkes was killed in action in France in 1915 see here |
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The memorial tablet seems to place him in the Royal Highlanders, and his records show 42nd battalion which matches. They were the 42nd (Black Watch) Battalion, the
(Royal Highlanders of Canada), C.E.F.
He enlisted in Toronto on 4th August 1915, giving his date of birth as 31st December 1885, a grocers clerk born in Swaffham Prior, next of kin, his mother Susan. He was 6 feet (182.9 cm) tall, chest 35" to 37.5" (88.9 to 95.3 cm), weighing 170 lbs (77.1 kg) blue eyes, fair hair and Church of England. That much from the Canadian Archives - RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4163 - 54. His unit sailed to UK on June 18th 1916 from Halifax, Nova Scotia on the SS "Empress of Canada". Arriving in UK as provisional Sergeant at Bordon Camp on 29th June in 84th Battalion.. Reduced to ranks on 16th July he was promptly promoted to Corporal the next day. On arrival in France on 2nd September 1918 he joined the 42nd Battalion. He had a brief spell of illness in 83 General Hospital, Boulogne from 10th September 1917, going on to convalescent camp on 13th.. Promoted to Sergeant 26th November 1917. On 3rd February he returned to Bramshott Camp in UK on commissioning course. He was commissioned on 6th June 1918 (London Gazette 30760) in the 20th Reserve Battalion. he arrived in France on 2nd September 1918, joined his unit on 7th and was killed on 29th September . His medals were sent to his sister Elizabeth in Swaffham Prior. On the 29th September the battalion were to attack at 8 am , with support from tanks, and take the railway embankment north west of TILLOY, then advance and capture high ground in S18 &S.16 and swing south and seize bridgeheads on the St Quentin Canal near Ramilles and Pont d'Avre. Intense machine fire from the embankment caused heavy casualties. All company commanders and second in command were casualties, Francis Hawkes being killed instantly. The attack came to nothing, it being impossible to advance against the machine guns. The battalion had lost 58 men killed.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission 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 |
