Pte 30964 Francis Allen Wilfred Hawkins

• Age: 19
• From: Shrewsbury, Salop
• Regiment: 2 E LANCS REGT
• Died on Friday 22nd November 1918
• Commemorated at: Cologne South Cem Germany
  Panel Ref: XII.F.14

Francis Allen Wilfred Hawkins was born in 1899 in Shrewsbury and was baptised on 27th March 1899 at All Saints Church, Shrewsbury. He was the son of Albert Hawkins and his wife Sarah Emily Edwards (nee Griffiths). (Francis' second name has seen both Allen/Allan used). 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at Bow Bridge Woodcote Villa, Crow Meole, Bicton, Atcham, Shropshire.

His father, Albert, is aged 29, was born in Preston in 1872 and he is employed as a brewer’s clerk, whilst his mother, Sarah, is aged 27, born 1874 in Shropshire and has no occupation listed. They have the one son Francis at the time of the Census, he is aged 2, born 1899 in Shrewsbury. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at York House, Town Walls, Shrewsbury.

His father Albert is now aged 39, is a brewer’s managing clerk and his mother Sarah is aged 35, born 1876 (1901 Census has her year of birth as 1874) and she has no occupation listed. They have been married for fourteen years and have had three children. The Census records only two children living with them Francis aged 12, is at school and his sister Ivy is aged 5, born 1906 in Shrewsbury. 

Francis enlisted in Shrewsbury. His medal index card shows the following service: East Lancashire Regiment Private 30964, Private 15208 South Lancashire Regiment, Private 14389 Lancashire Fusiliers, Private 14389 Welsh Regiment and finally Private 74390 17th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment.

However, his POW records show that he was serving with the East Lancashire Regiment when he was taken POW.    

He died on the 22^nd November 1918, aged 19 whilst still a prisoner of war. He had been taken to Friedrichfelde POW Camp, about 60 miles north of Cologne and was suffering from enteritis.

Francis now rests at Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany.

In 1922 it was decided to concentrate the graves of servicemen who had died in Germany into four cemeteries at Kassel, Berlin, Hamburg. and Cologne.  Over the course of the following year graves were transferred to Cologne Southern Cemetery from over 180 different burial sites

Soldiers effects to his father.

He is also commemorated on the St Chads Church War Memoral, Shrewsbury.

We currently have no further information on Francis Allen Wilfred Hawkins. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.