Charlie Hawkins 1897 – 1916
Charlie was born in the first quarter of 1897 in Lydden to parents William and Annie Maria (née Friend). He was baptised as Charley on 21st March 1897 at St Mary the Virgin in Lydden, however his Birth Index entry and all other records, with the exception of his War record, name him as Charlie.
Charlie grew up in a family of at least thirteen children. His father was an agricultural labourer, as were at least two of his brothers, Thomas and William, as described in the 1901 Census, at which time the family were living at Coldred Green.
William senior died in 1905 at around the age of 52 years old. By 1911 the Census showed Annie living with just five of her children at Coldred. Charlie was 14 years old by this stage and was working as a farm labourer.
It is not known when Charlie joined up as his attestation papers appear to be lost. However his record shows that his name was given as Charles.
His original service number was 6307, and later became G/44051, when he was a private in the 17th Battalion (Middlesex Regiment), the Duke of Cambridge’s own.
He was killed in action on 13th November 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial at Somme in France, Pier & Face 12D and 13B.
At the time of Charlie’s death, his mother was given as his next of kin, living at Beauxfield, Shepherdswell.