Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Canadian Memorial Cross awarded in remembrance of Private W. C. Hawkings, 13th (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion, who was killed in action on Vimy Ridge on 8 April 1917

Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R., the reverse officially inscribed, ‘24724 Pte. W. C. Hawkings’, good very fine £80-100

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces.

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William Charles Hawkings was born in Wellington, Somerset, on 30 June 1881. A Teamster by occupation and a member of the Royal Highlanders of Canada, he attested for overseas service at Valcartier in September 1914. Serving with the 13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada), he was wounded on 20 April 1916 - suffering a shell contusion to back and shell shock, for which he was in hospital for 40 days. Rejoining his unit, he was killed in action the day before the attack on Vimy Ridge on 8 April 1917. Having no known grave, his name was commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. He was the son of the late James and Charlotte Hawkings and husband of Minnie Augusta Clara Hawkings, of 28 Eastbourne Road, Taunton; sold with copied service papers.