GEORGE ALFRED DAWKINS

Born: 1883, Ipswich.

Baptised: 7^th February 1894, at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich, with his brothers – Frank Dawkins, Arthur Henry Dawkins and sister – Annie Dawkins – family home at 3, Handford Road, Ipswich.

Died: 6th July 1918; age: 35; at the Field Hospital, Chemues.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 35278

Regiment: Gloucestershire Regiment, 13th Battalion, Forest of Dean (Pioneers).

Formerly 184607, Royal Engineers.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

In December 1920, it was believed that the body discovered in La Fere Communal cemetery, in a single grave No. 152 with two other bodies and marked with one picket grave marker was that of George Dawkins. On the 23^rd February 1922, George’s body was exhumed and identified by a British uniform before reburial in a single grave at Chauny Communal Cemetery British Extension. The other two bodies were exhumed, identified and reburied in a joint grave at Chauny Communal Cemetery British Extension.

HARRY KNIGHT, a Lance Corporal, 3629, for the Prince of Wales’s Royal, 12^th Lancers, died of wounds on the 28^th August 1914. Harry was 21 years of age, and the son of Harry and Phoebe Jane Knight, of Rushden, Northamptonshire.

HENRY HOLLINGSWORTH, a Bandsman, 5663, for the Royal Berkshire Regiment, Princess Charlotte, 1^st Battalion, died of wounds on the 29^th August 1914. Henry from Enfield was 33 years of age, a widower, with two children.

Grave Reference:

4.B.40.

Chauny Communal Cemetery British Extension,

France.

Brother to FRANK DAWKINS.

CENSUS

1891   3, Handford Road, Ipswich.

George was 8 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

William Dawkins, 42, a Boot Fitter, born Northampton, Northamptonshire.

Lily Eliza Dawkins (nee Hand), 39, born Northampton, Northamptonshire.

Lily Caroline M. Dawkins, 21, born London.

Rebecca Dawkins, 20, born London.

William Thomas Dawkins, 17, a Boot Fitter, born Colchester, Essex.

Frederick Charles Dawkins, 14, an Errand Boy, born Ipswich.

Arthur Henry Dawkins, 5, born Ipswich.

Frank Dawkins, 3, born Ipswich.

Annie Dawkins, 1, born Ipswich.

1 Lodger

1901   10, Sterling Street, Ipswich.

George was 18 years old, a Plasterer. He was living with his parents & siblings.

William, 52, a Boot Machinist.

Lily, 49.

Frederick, 24, a Printer’s Machinist.

Arthur, 15, a Boot Worker Clicker.

Frank, 13, a Leather Legging Cutter.

Annie, 11.

1911   186, Bramford Lane, Ipswich.

George was 28 years old, a Plasterer. He was married and Head of the Household.

Louisa, 25.

Dorothy, 4.

Winifred, 2.

and nephew – Daniel Summers, 18, a Carpenter at a Foundry, born Ipswich.

George’s mother, Lily Dawkins, died in 1908, Ipswich and was buried on the 5^th September at Ipswich Old Cemetery, and his father, William Dawkins, died on the 15^th April 1914, at 10, Sterling Street, Ipswich, and was buried on the 20^th April at Ipswich Old Cemetery.

In 1906, Ipswich, George married Louisa Fisher, born 1886, Ipswich – daughter of George Fisher, a horse riding master and dealer, and the late Margaret Fisher (nee Hill), of Ipswich.

Louisa and George had five children:

Dorothy Margaret Dawkins, born July 1906, Ipswich.

Winifred Lily Dawkins, born September 1908, Ipswich.

Leonard George Dawkins, born March 1913, Ipswich.

Leila Louise Dawkins, born July 1914, Ipswich.

Audrey Dawkins, born 1917, Ipswich.

Soldiers’ Effects to Louisa Dawkins – widow.

George is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich.

Gloucestershire Regiment, 13th Battalion, Forest of Dean (Pioneers)