Main CPGW Record
Surname: HAWKIN
Forename(s): John Willis
Place of Birth: Middleham, Yorkshire
Service No: 12992
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 9th (Service) Battalion
Division: 17th (Northern) Division
Age: 34
Date of Death: 1916-04-25
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: IX. G. 38.
CWGC Cemetery: CITE BONJEAN MILITARY CEMETERY, ARMENTIERES
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
John Willis Hawkin was the son of Eli and Jane Hawkin, née Beckwith. Eli was born at Lofthouse and Jane at Arkleside, Coverdale, Yorkshire. John was the cousin of Private George Beckwith (22371) (q.v.).
1891 Earby, Yorkshire Census: Old White House - John W. Hawkin, aged 8 years, born Middleham, Yorkshire, son of Eli and Jane Hawkin.
1901 Stirton with Thorlby, Yorkshire Census: Crookrise, Non Go By [Farm] - John W. Hawkin, aged 18 years, born Skipton, Yorkshire. [John was employed by John Carr. Grazing Farmer.]
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 2, West Bradley Street - John Hawkin, aged 29 years, born in the Parish of Coverdale, Yorkshire, son of Eli and Jane Hawkin. [Private George Beckwith, mentioned above, the nephew of Eli and Jane, was also living with them.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte John W. Hawkin, 12992, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in (1) France. Date of entry therein: 15.7.15. D. of W. 25.4.16.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte John Willis Hawkin, 12992, 9 W. Rid. R. D. of W. 25.4.16.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte John Willis Hawkin, 12992, 9th Bn West Riding Regt. Date and Place of Death: 25.4.16. Field. France or Belgium (Wounds). To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Sister Sole Legatee - Annas. £17 16s. 0d.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
HAWKINS, J. W., West Riding Regiment, aged 34, killed in action, France, April 25, 1916.
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private John Willis HAWKIN
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 17th (Northern) Division
View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Private John Willis Hawkin’s British War Medal and Victory Medal
Courtesy of Stephen Hawkin
Private John Willis Hawkin’s British War Medal and Victory Medal (reverse)
Courtesy of Stephen Hawkin
Next of kin Memorial Plaque
Courtesy of Stephen Hawkin
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
05 May 1916
HAWKINS – April 25th, died of wounds received in action, Private J. W. Hawkins, 9th West Ridings, formerly of Thornton Street, Skipton, aged 34 years.
05 May 1916
MORE SKIPTON CASUALTIES
News came to hand unofficially last weekend to the effect that Pte. J. W. Hawkins of the 9th West Riding Regiment had been killed in action in France. The sad intelligence was conveyed to the unfortunate young man’s relatives, who reside in Broughton Road, Skipton, by a colleague from the same regiment who is home on leave, and followed a letter which came to hand a short time previously stating Pte. Hawkins had been wounded.
Pte. Hawkins is a single man aged 34, and enlisted in September, 1914. He had been in France with the Battalion some time, but it was not until recently that he went into the trenches, he having been detailed for other duty. He was well-known in the town and his death will be regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Information has also been received from the same source that Pte. John Nelson, of the 9th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, and of 1, Bradley Street, Skipton, has been wounded in the thigh, but the injury is not of a serious character.
05 May 1916
PRIVATE HAWKINS’ DEATH CONFIRMED
Confirmation has come to hand of the death of Pte. J. W. Hawkins, of the 9th West Riding Regiment, which we unofficially recorded in another portion of this issue. He died at a place not stated on April 25th from wounds received in action. The relatives have received a letter of condolence from the King and Queen and Lord Kitchener.
In a letter written to his sister, Miss A. Hawkins, Thornton Street, Skipton, some days before his death, Pte. Hawkins said he had never regretted joining the Army. He also stated he was in the pink of condition and acknowledged the receipt of tobacco from friends at the Railway Inn.
27 April 1917
HAWKIN – In loving memory of Pte. J.W. Hawkin, killed in action at Armentieres, April 25th 1916.
We never knew what pain he bore,
We never saw him die;
We only know he passed away,
And never said good-bye.
“Sadly missed”
From the Family, Broughton Road.
26 April 1918
HAWKIN – In loving memory of Private John Willis Hawkin, killed at Armentieres, April 25th, 1916.
His warfare o’er, his battle fought,
His fresh young life he nobly gave;
His victory won, though dearly bought,
He slumbers now in a soldier’s grave.
His soul has found a haven of rest,
He will fight the good fight no more,
The storm may sweep o’er the battlefield,
But in Jesu he’s safe evermore.
From the Family, Broughton Road, Skipton.
25 April 1919
HAWKIN – In loving memory of Private J. W. Hawkin, killed in action, April 25th, 1916.
Gone to his rest through the pathway of duty,
Venturing his life that others may live,
Such are the words on the tablet of beauty,
In letters immortal in honour we give.
From the Family, Broughton Road.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
05 May 1916
FALSE RUMOURS CIRCULATED AT SKIPTON – A LOCAL SOLDIER REPORTED KILLED AND ANOTHER WOUNDED
Several rumours were circulated throughout Skipton during the early part of this week to the effect that the 9th West Riding Regiment had taken part in a fierce engagement in France, and that a large number of local men had fallen. Rumour had it that as many as 32 local soldiers had either been killed or wounded, but we are happy to state that there is no foundation for the majority of the rumours, and that the number of casualties has been greatly exaggerated. Upon making enquiries on Monday, confirmation of the rumours was only forthcoming in two instances.
Miss Hawkins, of 55 Thornton Street, Skipton, was informed last weekend by Sergt. Sam Mooney of Skipton, who had returned from the Front on a short leave, that her brother, Private J.W. Hawkins, of the 9th West Riding Regiment, had died one day last week from wounds received in action. He was wounded in the chest and in the leg. He had not been in the trenches very long before he was fatally wounded, and prior to entering them he had acted as a cook at the Front for about six months. Deceased was a single man 34 years of age, and he enlisted in September of 1914.
The following letter dated April 26th has been received from a companion of Private Hawkins:– “I am very sorry to have to report to you that John got struck yesterday, and by what I can gather there is no chance for him. I was told the sad news by Sergt. Mooney, who is coming home on leave, so I asked him to call and give you all particulars. He was still cook, but all the cooks this time have had to go into the trenches, and as many spare men as possible. It was nothing that could be helped, and I hope you will bear your troubles nobly. I thought it my duty to let you know of his misfortune and I sympathise with you.”
Private John Nelson, of the 9th West Riding Regiment, and whose parents reside in Bradley Street, Broughton Road, Skipton, is reported to have been wounded in the thigh, and at present he is in hospital. Prior to the war he was employed by Mr. Emsley, grocer, of Skipton, and he was an active member of Embsay Wesleyan Church.
05 May 1916
RUMOURED DEATH OF PRIVATE HAWKINS OF SKIPTON CONFIRMED
RUMOURED DEATH OF PRIVATE HAWKINS OF SKIPTON CONFIRMED
We learn that the relatives of Private Hawkins, of Skipton, whose reported death we record on page 6, have received an official notification that Private Hawkins died from wounds received in action on April 26th. In a letter written by him to his sister a few days before his death, he says he does not regret having joined the army, and acknowledges gifts received from friends at the Railway Inn.
Comment on this Soldier Record
You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.
No comments yet.