Private William John Hawkey , 3796, 8th Battalion, AIF.
Born in Geelong, Victoria
Father was William Henry Hawkey, of Cave Hill, Lilydale, Victoria.
He was only 5’ 3” tall, weighed 10 Stone 7 Lbs, and had Brown eyes and Light Brown hair.
Enlisted in Melbourne Victoria on 5th July 1915 aged 30 years.
He was a Barman at time of Enlistment.
17th July 1915 He was joined the 12th Reinforcements of the 8th Battalion at Broadmeadows.
4th November 1915 He was sent to Egypt on the “Ceramic”.
29th March 1916 He left Alexandria for Europe.
4th April 1916 He disembarked at Marseilles and went to Etaples.
24th May 1916 He proceeded to join the 8th battalion.
26th May 1916 He was taken by the 8th.
25th July 1916 he was Killed in Action aged 31.
The Red Cross reports into his death, were as follows:
“Pte. Hawkey was killed by shrapnel in an attack by us, while on fatigue duty at night. I saw the body several times lying in the open. I believe it was buried later as the Pioneers were digging and burying all they could find.” Pte. J.A. Hantot, 3794, 8th Battalion.
“C Company were moving up the Pozieres road between 10 & 11 pm on July 25th to reinforce the front line. The Germans were shelling this road and a shell landed in the 12th Platoon. Killing Hawkey instantly and wounding 10 or 12 others. Informant who was in the following platoon no 11 some 10yards behind saw all this.” Pte. A.J. Lechte, 3166, 8th Battalion, 11 Platoon, C Company AIF.
“I saw Hawkey killed on July 25th near Pozieres village, he was in the M.G.S. I don’t know his Company. He was caught by a splinter of a shell. Two shells came along one after another and caught him. We managed to get out of the way. It was not a regular advance; we were just going up bombing. We could not bring in his body, but in the ordinary course it would be brought in and buried. Eyewitness: Yes. Description : Small, fair, thin hair, age 25 or 26, came from Melbourne.” Pte. Lionel Miller, 3407, AIF. H.Q.Company Bomber.
“Was told he was blown to pieces near the chalk pit at Pozieres. It was common knowledge amongst them.” Parsons, 3888, 8th Battalion.
He is buried in Pozieres British Cemetery Ovillers-La-Boisselle .
Source :National Archives of Australia
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