George William Hawken

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Unit at enlistment:

Royal Flying Corps

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

May 18th, 1918

Cemetery:

Stockbridge Cemetery - Hampshire, England, United Kingdom

Commemorated at:

I.O.O.F. Obelisk Gore Lodge

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

30 Duke Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

30 Duke Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Commercial Traveller

Employer:

Foster’s Wholesale Grocery

Religious denominations:

Baptist

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Circumstances of service: Killed

Cause of Death: Aeroplane Accident
Location: Salisbury Plain

BX May 21, 1918

Flight Lieutenant George William Hawken Killed in Air – Particulars of the Accident Have Not Been Received as Yet

The sad intelligence was received in the city at noon today of the death in England of Flight Lieutenant George William Hawken. The death was the result of an accident in the air, the particulars of which have not yet been received. The family was officially notified from Ottawa today. The distressing affair took place at one of the aviation camps near Salisbury Plain. Lieutenant George Hawken only left Brantford a few weeks ago. He came home here from Texas, where he spent the winter, and had secured his commission as a flyer. While home here, he developed measles and was forced to remain for several weeks. When he recovered he received orders to proceed immediately overseas, where he continued his training. He leaves a wife and one child. George was well known to many Brantfordites. He was a general favorite with all, and the news of his death will be received with great regret in this city. Before joining up he was city traveler for the George Foster and Sons Company.

BX June 8, 1918

Engine Failed, Plane Crashed – Details Received of Death of Flight Lieutenant George William Hawken

Mrs. George W. Hawken has received information from R.G.H. Nixon, Lt. R.A.F., regarding the death of Flight Lieutenant George W. Hawken in an air accident on May 18 in England. The letter reads:

Your husband was the keenest and best pupil I have ever had and would have made a most wonderful pilot had not this fatal accident occurred. He took up a machine this afternoon, making a most successful flight. Apparently his engine failed causing him to spin into the ground from about 100 feet.