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Rifleman James Stephen Hawkins

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TitleRifleman James Stephen HawkinsSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionJames was born 22 February 1888 at Christchurch, son of Stephen and Lily Hawkins. At the time of enlisting he was working as a Grocer's Assistant for C. M. Suckling at Tai Tapu. He was 5ft 4in tall with a ruddy complexion, grey eyes and black hair.

He enlisted at Christchurch on 14 March 1917 and was assigned to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade Reinforcements J Company. Whilst at Trentham in May 1917 he had the misfortune to become infested with lice and hospitalised. He embarked on 12th June 1917 and arrived in Devonport, England on 16 August 1917. He marched into camp at Tidworth on same day. He left for France from the Rifle Brigade Reserve Depot at Brocton on 23th October 1917 and marched into base depot at Etaples on 26 October. He joined the 4th Battalion, 3rd Rifle Brigade in the field on 3rd November and was posted to C Company. A few short months later he was killed in action on 15 February, aged 34. The Brigade had returned to the line on 1st February. He was initially buried near where he fell and a letter in 1920 informed the family that his body was retrieved from “an isolated grave” and buried Oxford Road Cemetery, plot III. L. 3.In New Zealand James is remembered on the Tai Tapu War Memorial. First NameJames StephenLast NameHawkinsFamilySingleSon of Stephen and Lily HawkinsDate of Birth22 February 1888Place of BirthChristchurchDate of Death15 February 1918Place of DeathBelgiumCause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death34

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CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageTai Tapu War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryOxford Road CemeteryTai Tapu War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingGrocer's AssistantRegiment or ServiceNew Zealand Rifle BrigadeEnlistment Details14th March 1917 at ChristchurchService Number51838Embarkation12th June 1917CountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Rifleman James Stephen Hawkins