Not Forgotten. 5861 Private Samuel Gibbings HAWKES, 27 Battalion AIF, World War 1,

Private Samuel Gibbings Hawkes was born in Dunedin, New Zealand on 14 September 1873. Although he had trained as an accountant, he was a teacher in Dowerin when he enlisted in the 27th Battalion in Perth April 1916 at the age of 42, while his brother Philip who was an orchardist in Spearwood on enlistment, joined the 27th Battalion in June 1916 at the age of 41. Although he was teaching in Dowerin at the time of his enlistment, Samuel Hawkes is not listed on the Dowerin War Memorial.
The 27th Battalion embarked from Fremantle on board HMAT A16 Port Melbourne on 30 October 1916. The unit had taken part in its first major battle in France at Pozières in late July and early August 1916. After a spell in a quieter section of the front in Belgium, the battalion took part in two attacks to the east of Flers in the Somme Valley, both of which floundered in the mud. On 20 September 1917 the 27th Battalion was part of the 2nd Division’s first wave at the battle of Menin Road where they were successful, followed by the capture of Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October in which the 27th played a role. The 27th Battalion had experienced a difficult time on the Western Front before Samuel Hawkes arrived.
Samuel Hawkes was gassed on 29 October 1917 at Passchendaele near Ypres in Belgium at the age of 44, suffering extensive burns from the shell and the effects of the gas on his lungs and his heart. He was taken by the 3 Australian Field Ambulance to the 10 Casualty Clearing Station but as his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to hospital in England. Private Hawkes died of his wounds on 7 November 1917 in Queen Mary’s Military Hospital in Whalley in Lancashire. He was buried in Bromley Cemetery also known as the London Road or Old Cemetery in Bromley, Kent in a private family grave.
The records report that he was buried with his kinfolk, that a firing party, a bugler and pall bearers were supplied by the Guard of Administrative Headquarters AIF in London. His coffin was draped with the Australian flag and the Last Post was sounded at the graveside by an Australian N.C.O. It further reports that numerous wreaths were placed on the coffin by relatives. His sister, Mrs. Holdsworthy or Holworthy, was living in Hastings on the south coast of England or in Bromley, there are two addresses given, at the time.
Private Hawkes was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.