Colin Boyd has provided the following:
Cecil was born in West Hartlepool in 1895, the son of Edward and Mary Ann Hawkins of 5, Lister Street.
He enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry on 12th October 1914. He served in Egypt from 22nd December 1915 to 5th March 1916 and arrived in France on 11th August 1916. After being hospitalised with Influenza Cecil was transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers on 17th September 1916 before rejoining the Durham Light Infantry on 20th September 1916 "in order to serve with his older brother".
He was posted to the West Riding Regiment on 31st October 1916 and between 21st March 1917 and 12th April 1917 he was hospitalised suffering from boils. Cecil was wounded on 15th May 1917 and admitted to 11th General Hospital suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest and left foot. He was evacuated to the UK on board the Hospital Ship "Jan Breydel" on 29th May 1917.
On recovery Cecil was sentenced to 2 days' Field Punishment No. 2 at Tynemouth on 7th November 1917 for being absent without leave.
He arrived back in France on 15th November 1917 and died from the effects of gunshot wounds to the head and right leg on 2nd December 1917. When Cecil's effects were forwarded to his father they comprised: disc, letters, photos, pipe, religious book, wallet, purse, glasses in case (broken), metal mirror, mirror, card case, cigarette case, cap badge and cloth badge.
Cecil Stephen Hawkins is remembered in Hartlepool on H115.30 page 22 and in West Hartlepool on W111.01, W111.06, W111.54 and W111.86 page 19
