Corporal William Harrison Kirby Hawkins
745085
Born Guelph ON, Jan 22, 1895
Lived in Guelph, ON
Died of Wounds Nov 2, 1917 – Battle of Passchendaele
The record does not provide much more than “Died of Wounds” however it happened in one the Canadian Corp’s most arduous battle, simply called Passchendaele.
In 1916, at the time he enlisted William Harrison Kirby Hawkins was employed as a machinist. He was born in Guelph, a relatively rural town at the time, and moved to Toronto. Based on his address, he would have lived right in the heart of the city. His home is now replaced with soaring towers bordered by more towers stretching out from all directions. 100 years may have passed, however the one thing that would be the same would be the fury of activity that echoes across the century old time span.
William decided to travel up to Uxbridge to join Sam Sharpe’s 116th. The story behind his decision is unknown as he would certainly be able to enlist in a Toronto-based unit if that was his preference. Yet, he travelled up to Uxbridge and signed up on March 18th of 1916. While in training at Camp Bordon, William was appointed Lance Corporal. Soon thereafter he was promoted to Corporal while at Camp Whitley in England. When the battalion was dispatched to France in February, he reverted to the rank of a private but was given his stripes back just before Vimy.
Fast forwarding through Avion and Hill 70, we find ourselves in late October 1917. The 116th was assigned to a support position in the 9th Brigade as they set to attack the Bellevue Spur at Passchendaele. The 116th Battalion Diary records the effort as one of the “fiercest and most bloody onslaughts in its history” whereby the 9th Brigade and the Canadian Corps “destroyed the entire German garrison”. This was accomplished in an area that had just endured constant and oppressive rainfall, leaving behind a battlefield that more represented an endless sea of shell holes and sucking mud. The shell holes were filled with water stewed by the putrid, decaying remains of Ypres battles not long since passed. This was the curse for the infantry soldier as he executed his orders.
After the successful actions of Oct 26th and 27, the 116th remained in a support role as the Canadians consolidated their position. On Nov 1st, they were ordered to move into the line at Gravenstafel to support the 7th Canadian Infantry brigade…but then the order was cancelled. Then they were ordered to relive the 16th Canadian Battalion at St Jean…but then this order was cancelled. Finally, they were ordered to assist in supplying the 42nd Battalion who where already in the line at the front.
It was in these mess of a situation, where Corporal William Hawkins was assigned to lead his unit in resupply tasks across the sea of sucking mud, was hit. He received wounds to his thigh and his arm. Wounds from which he would not survive, despite being evacuated from that hellhole back to the Casualty Clearing Station at Lijssenthoek.
Lest we forget.
(if anyone is related to Corporal Hawkins or has any pictures to submit, please do.)