Feb 16, 1886

Born at Burton On Trent, England

Apr 8, 1897

Embarked the SS Vancouver at Liverpool England as a member of a group of Home Children

Apr 18, 1897

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to Belleville Ontario

Dec 21, 1910

Married to Alice Thorne at Cavan Ontario 

Alice was also a Home Child, who came to Canada in 1898 with the Barnardo’s Home

Feb 18, 1915

Attested into the 39^th Battalion at Port Hope Ontario 

Ø      Number 412598

Ø      Next of kin given as Alice Hawkins (wife) of RR #2 Millbrook Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Wesleyan

Ø      Assigned to “B” Company

Jun 24, 1915

Embarked the RMS Missanabie at Montreal Quebec

Jul 3, 1915

Disembarked at Plymouth England and proceeded to the Shorncliffe Camp

Sep 24, 1915

The battalion was moved to the West Sandling Camp near Hythe, Kent

Sep 21, 1916

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 22, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at Havre France and was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Sep 28, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in the front line trenches near Berteaucourt, SE of Amiens.  I suspect he would have reported to the rear party, a mile or more behind the front line.

May 5, 1917

Reported to the CBD at Havre and classified as “TB” (Temporary Base), which means that he had a medical condition that took him away from the front temporarily.  The condition was not recorded in the file

May 20, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion for full duty and assigned as a Stretcher Bearer

Aug 15, 1917

At first he was reported wounded, then he was reported as Missing After Action.  I suspect the report of him being wounded is in error.  There was another Alfred Hawkins in the Battalion that was wounded in the same fighting and it is possible the Company Clerk mistakenly recorded it in the wrong file. 

Apr 26, 1918

The Part II Orders declare now that he was Killed In Action

Because his body was either never recovered, of if so, never identified, he is commemorated on the Vimy Ridge Memorial as shown below

May 18, 1920

On this, and on subsequent dates the following were sent to his widow, Alice Hawkins at Millbrook Ontario 

British War Medal
Victory Medal
Plaque (Death Penny)
Scroll
Memorial Cross (Silver Cross)