James Henry Frederick Hawker
He was a pit pony driver when he joined the Royal Navy in 1915.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
James Henry Frederick Hawker was born on 5th November 1895 at Tweskesbury he was the only son of Henry a coal miner and Mary Hawker.
His father Henry Hawker was born in 1874 at Tweksbury, Gloucester, his mother Mary was born in 1869 in Lancashire.
The CWGC record gives his parents' address as 5 Bright Row, Hyson Green, Nottingham, the address at which they were living when their son died.
James joined the Royal Navy on a 12 year engagement (5+7 years) on 26 May 1915. He served in the following ships and shore establishments: Victory I, 26 May 1915-27 July 1915 (Ordinary Seaman); Attentive II (HMS Ghurka), 28 July 1915-8 February 1917 (Able Seaman 17 September 1916). His service documents were annotated, ‘NP 1095/17. DD 8-2-17. Lost on HMS Ghurka.'
HMS Ghurka, a Tribal Class destroyer, was on patrol in the Channel when she struck a mine laid by German submarine UC-47 and sank in 30 metres of water near Dungeness. Seventy-five of the ship's company died with only five survivors. A selection of reports from the subsequent inquiry into the loss of the ship are on the website: sussexhistoryforum.co.uk.
James' body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
HMS Ghurka was not designated a war grave until 2008.
Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged) 5 March 1917. 'FJH (sic) Hawker, 5 Bright Row, Hyson Green, lost at sea, February 8th.'
In memoriam published 8th February 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :-
“HAWKER. – In loving memory of our only child, Seaman Hawker, lost his life on H.M.S. Destroyer Ghurka. February 8th, 1917. A sudden blow, a shock severe, to part with one we love so dear. – From his sorrowful mam & dad.”
In memoriam published 9th February 1920 in the Nottingham Evening Post :-
“HAWKER. – In loving memory of our only child, James Hawker, struck a mine on H.M.S. Destroyer Gurkha, February 8th, 1917. We often speak thy name, dear, and shed a silent tear. – Sadly missed by his loving dad and mam.”
Above in memoriam are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
James Henry Frederick Hawker
Photograph published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 5th March 1917 , courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918