Private in the R.A. M. C.
Andrew Behan has researched this man: Private William Hawkins was born in 1885 in Hinckley, Leicestershire, a son of William Hawkins and Emma Hawkins née Wright. His father was a Cotton Stocking Trimmer and his mother a Cotton Stocking Maker. On 1 June 1907 he married Thirza Lacey at Holy Trinity Church, Kilburn and they gave their address as 52 Kenilworth Road, Kilburn. His occupation was shown as a ticket collector and they had one child, Denis William Hawkins who was born on 26 March 1913 in Chelsea North, London. The 1911 census shows him living with his wife and one of his sisters, Lizzie Hawkins, at 76 Draycott Avenue, Chelsea. His occupation is given as a Railway Ticket Examiner whilst that of his wife is a Newsagents & Stationers Manageress.
On 25 May 1915 at St Pancras he enlisted in the Rifle Brigade, service number 11075, giving his home address as 5 Golders Green Terrace, Hampstead and his occupation as a Railway Ticket Examiner. On 30 July 1915 he transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps and was given the service number 66081 and was attached to 80th Field Ambulance as a Lance Corporal. On 20 September 1915 he embarked at Southampton arriving in Harve, France the following day. On 30 November he embarked at Marseilles, France arriving at Salonika, Greece, on 12 December 1915. He continued serving with 80th Field Ambulance and was killed in action, aged 31 years, on 9 May 1917. He was buried in Plot 6, Row C, Grave 12 in the Doiran Military Cemetery, Doirani, Greece. His military records state that at the time of his death his rank was a private. On 5 September 1917 his widow was sent his army effects totalling £3-8s-11d and she was sent his war gratuity in two parts, £3-0s-0d on 1 November 1919 and £6-0s-0d on 22 June 1920. These were sent to her address at 101 North End Road, Hampstead.
He was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
