Search our records : Sidney Hawker

Surname: Hawker
Forename(s): Sidney
Service Number: Private 38011
Force: British Army
Unit: 1st Garrison Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Parents: James and Harriet Hawker
Home address: 2 Highfield Terrace, Beer, Devon

Sidney Hawker was born in 1880, the fourth son of James Hawker, a railway labourer, and his wife Harriet.  His birthplace is recorded as Whitford on the 1881 census, but Shute in his army record. 

On the 29th May 1907 he married Harriett Dunsfold in Axminster.  They had two sons, Alfred and Gerald, who were both born in Beer (as was Hariett).  At the time of the 1911 census they lived at 1 Church Court, Beer, but when Sidney joined the army they were living at 2 Highfield Terrace. 

Sidney joined the army on 6th June 1916.  His army record describes him as 5ft 5ins tall, and the list of equipment he was issued with is attached. 

He initially joined the 5th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, but was then posted to the 2/4th Battalion, and on 4th November 1916 left for India, where the battalion was sent to Madras.  On 5th October 1917, while still in India, he was transferred to 1st Garrison Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (the Ox and Bucks).

On the 14th December 1917 he was given 3 days ‘confined to barracks’ as a punishment for the heinous crime of having an untidy bed.

On his return journey to England after the war Sidney was taken ill and admitted to hospital in Port Said in Egypt on 31st October 1919, but his army record does not record the reason.  He was eventually discharged from the army in London on 21st January 1920, and returned to his home in Highfield Terrace.

Sidney died in 1968, aged 87.