680398 GNR. C. R. M. HAWES.  R.F.A.

 

Charles Robert Moody Hawes was born in April 1895 in Burnley and baptised at Burnley St Stephen on 15 May.  His father was Charles Hawes (b. 1857 in Ipswich), a labourer.  His mother was Margaret (Maggie) Ann Pimm (b. 1861 in Lancaster), a cotton weaver.  Charles and Maggie were married in 1880 in Fulwood.  I don’t have the full details but it seems Charles snr was in the army but unhappily so: in June 1881 he appears in a list of military deserters, but in 1901 he is registered in the Census at army barracks in Canterbury.  In the meantime however, he and Maggie had five children: Walter (b. 1884), Ida (b. 1886), Margaret (b. 1887) then Charles and finally Fred (b. 1903).  In the early-mid 1890s the family lived in Habergham Eaves but by 1901 they were back in Preston and in 1911 they lived at 76 Berry Street, Preston.  Charles jnr was an errand boy in an umbrella shop.

 

Charles was 19 when War broke out and had seen some service with the Territorials.  He was assigned service number 1539 (later to become 680398) and posted to “A” Battery of 276 Brigade.  He landed with 55th Division in France on 30 September 1915.

 

In June 1917, the Division was engaged in the defence of Ypres.  On 9 June, 276 Bde carried out special operations in support of a raid by 1/4th Bn Royal Lancaster Regiment on Ibex Trench, and during the following two days engaged in retaliation for hostile fire on their trenches.  Charles Hawes was killed during this action.  He was 22 years old.

 

Rank:  Gunner

Service No:  680398

Date of Death:  10/06/1917

Age:  22

Regiment/Service:  Royal Field Artillery, “A” Bty, 276th Bde.

Grave Reference:  I. A. 5.

Cemetery:  VLAMERTINGHE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY

Additional Information: Son of Charles and Margaret Hawes, of 76 Berry (CWGC says Bury) Street, Preston, Lancs.

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