Name
Cecil Gordon Hawkes
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/04/1918
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
42544
Essex Regiment
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RAMPARTS CEMETERY, LILLE GATE
J.9.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Stevenage Old Town Memorial
St Nicholas' Church Memorial, Stevenage Old Town
Holy Trinity Church Memorial Roll of Honour, Stevenage Old Town
Pre War
Cecil was the son of George & Rosanna Hawkes of 15 Homlesdale Terrace, Stevenage.
Wartime Service
He was performing one of the most dangerous front line tasks, that of company runner. This involved the carrying of messages to and from forward positions, often across open ground, in order to keep commanders updated on the current state of any action. The Battalion were in position at Zillebeke Lake in the Ypres sector, which was part of the Dolls House line. The Germans attacked the sector with a barrage of gas shells which resulted in 10 casualties, one of whom died. This was Cecil Hawkes and he is buried in the Ramparts Cemetery, Lille Gate, Ypres, Belgium.
Additional Information
www.stevenageatwar.com
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson
