Born in 1897 at Woodford, son of Henry Charles (Builder) and Florence Hawksworth. 1911: A Scholar with his family at “Eastview” 7 Melbourne Terrace, Daisy Road, South Woodford. The address of 7 Daisy Road is given in his Probate papers. His father, described in the 1911 Census as an Estate Agent, later lived at 47 Grove Road, Wanstead.
He joined the Army on 5th August 1914, enlisting in the 28 London Regiment (Artists Rifles), and served in France from 11th August 1915. He was Commissioned on 13th August 1916, and allocated to 10 Essex.
On 31st July 1917 he was awarded a Military Cross. At Ypres when attacking Battalions ran short of ammunition he led men on a resupply mission over 2.5 miles under shellfire with no guide, and half the party were incapacitated. On the return trip he heard that a German counter-attack was possible, so he turned his party around and again reported to the Battalion HQ in case they should be required.
At 04.40 on 21st March 1918 the German Spring Offensive on the Somme Sector began with a barrage of high explosive and gas shells. This lasted some two hours, targeting initially British artillery and command/logistics facilities, before switching to the infantry positions in advance of a German ground attack. 10 Essex were in the area of Ly Fontaine, with A Company at Caponne Farm. The Regimental history records the Company suffered heavy casualties, and Hawksworth, that most “intrepid of Officers”, was Killed in Action by German artillery fire during the initial hour of the attack. The Germans refer to this as “Operation Michael”, and the British, “The Battle of St Quentin.”
He is also commemorated on the family Grave at City of London Cemetery.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
Artists Rifles Roll of Honour