Private George Edward Hawes 1st Essex Missing in Action Cambrai 1917

This small piece and a picture of George Edward Hawes appeared in the edition of The Bury Free Press that was dated Saturday, December 29, 1917.

….
SOUTH LOPHAM SOLDIER MISSING.

We regret to hear that Prvt. G.E. Hawes, son of Mr. and Mrs Hawes, of South Lopham, has been posted as wounded and missing since Nov. 20th. Prvt. Hawes enlisted in the 3rd Norfolks on October 5th 1916. After undergoing eight months training at Felixstowe he was drafted to France, whereupon he was transferred to the 1st Essex Regt. If any comrade could furnish the anxious relatives with information concerning him they would be very thankful if they would kindly communicate with Mr. R. Hawes, 55, Churchgate Street, Bury St. Edmund’s.

Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Private George Edward Hawes was Killed in Action on the 20th November 1917 whilst serving in France & Flanders with the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment. He was formerly 26603 in the Norfolk Regiment. George was born and resident South Lopham, and enlisted Norwich.

Private HAWES, GEORGE EDWARD
Service Number:…………….. 41941
Died:…………………………. 20/11/1917
Unit:………………………….1st Bn.,Essex Regiment
Commemorated:……………. Cambrai Memorial, Louveral
Source:https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1753631/hawes,-george-edward/

The Medal Index Card for Private 41941 G.E. Hawes, Essex Regiment, is held at the National Archive under the reference WO 372/9/86762
He had previously been 26603 Norfolk Regiment.
Source: discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D2608059
He qualified for the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Other Ranks Army Service Records were stored.

No match on Picture Norfolk, the County Image Archive.

The International Red Cross received a communication from his father, Mr Charles Hawes, of the Crown Inn, South Lopham, enquiring about a Private 41941 George Edward Hawes of 16 Platoon, Z Company, Essex Regiment who had been missing since the 20th November in France. The IRC would write back on the 13th July 1918 that nothing had been heard.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/2012589/3/2/

No obvious Soldiers Will or Civil Probate for this man.

An “In Memoriam” notice appeared in the edition of the Diss Express dated 21st November 1919.

HAWES. – In ever loving memory of Private Godfrey C. Hawes, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Hawes, South Lopham, who was killed in France, November 18th, 1916, aged 20 years; also of George Edward Hawes, second son who was reported wounded and missing, November 20th 1917, since reported killed on or about that date, aged 19 years, 9 months.
God is good, He gives us strength
To bear our heavy loss;
He is the only one who knows
How bitter is our loss.

1897/98 – Birth and baptism…….

The birth of a George Edward Hawes was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Guiltcross in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1898. Then, as now, you had 42 days after the event to register the birth without facing prosecution and a fine. Thus a child registered at the start of Q1 could have been born as early as the middle of November in the preceding year.

The baptism of a George Edward Hawes, no date of birth recorded, took place at St John the Baptist, Bressingham, Norfolk, on the 10th April 1898. His parents were Charles, an Innkeeper, and Mary Ann. The family lived at South Lopham.
Source: www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818d908e93790ec8b48756...

1901 Census of England and Wales

The 3 year old George Ed Hawes, born South Lopham, was recorded living at the Crown Inn, Silver Street, South Lopham. This was the household of his parents, Charles, (aged 34, an Innkeeper, born South Lopham), and Mary Anne, (aged 39, born Rattlesden, Suffolk). As well as Charles their other children living with them are:-
Charles Godfrey..aged 4…born South Lopham
Reginald ‘Jmo’…aged 1…born South Lopham.
Also living with them is father Charles’ sister-in-law, (and Mary Annes sister), the 24 year old unmarried Kate Walker, born Rattlesden.

1911 Census of England and Wales

The Hawes family were still living at the Crown Inn. Parents Charles, (44, Publican) and Mary A., (49), have been married 18 years and have had 3 children, all then still alive and living with them. These were ‘Godferey’ C. (14, Farm Labourer), ‘Goerge’ E, (13) and Reginald, (11). This was the first census completed by the householder rather than a census taker going door to door.

On the day…………………………….

At 6.10am on the morning of 20th November over 1000 guns and howizters opened fire on the German defenses of the Hindenburg Line. Ten minutes later the coordinated advance of 476 tanks and six infantry divisions began. The action was a total success.

As an element of 88th Brigade, 29th Division, … the men of 1/Essex had moved south to Cambrai after their involvement in the Third Battle of Ypres, from which they were withdrawn in the second week of October 1917. Positioned around Gouzeaucourt, they were part of the support division on the first day of the Cambrai battle, and advanced at 1015am. In the first wave, 20th Division were to have penetrated the Hindenburg Line and moved on towards the Canal de St.Quentin between the villages of Marcoing and Masnieres. Following in the second wave, the 29th Division's task was to push through them and secure a bridgehead on the north side of the canal.

The 88th Brigade advanced northwards up the La Vacquerie valley, led by the 1/Essex behind four tanks. One of the tanks eventually broke down and the other three were knocked out by field guns south of the canal on Welsh Ridge. Nevertheless the 1/Essex pushed on, capturing a battery of German guns and taking 70 prisoners.

The plan was for 1/Essex cross the canal at Masnieres, clear the village on the north side, and establish a bridgehead. Before they arrived at the canal a 20th Division tank had already attempted to cross the canal using the road bridge which had partially collapsed under the weight of it, and the tank was wedged between the two ends. The bridge was known thereafter as "tank bridge".

The battalion endeavoured to cross the canal at Masnieres unsuccessfully for the remainder of the day under heavy rifle and machine gun fire. Other units to their left managed to cross the canal between Masnieres and Marcoing and moved long the railway embankment on the German side. Elements of 1/Essex eventually managed to cross by the same route in the early hours of the following day. The battalion defended the canal around Masnieres the following night and on the 22nd were relieved and moved to billets in Marcoing, where they remained until the 26th.
Source: ewhurstfallen.co.uk/Men%20WW1/Howick%20Frederick/Frederic...

(The original source has the famous picture of the collapsed bridge with the part submerged tank.)

20th November 1917 – Battalion War Diary

2 a.m. The Battalion marched to place of assembly W. of GOUDEAUCOURT. arriving 21st at 4.40 am. At 6.30 (zero hour) the battle was commenced by three Divisions advancing in line preceded by lines of tanks of which in these operations some 200 were employed. Their objectives were the 1st & 2nd trenches of the HINDENBURG LINE on the capture of which the two outer divisions were to form defensive flanks to the advance of the 29th Division. The task assigned to the 29th Division was to push through the ST QUENTIN Canal, seize the crossings at MARCOING and MASNIERES and thus allow the cavalry to go through to CAMBRAI. At 6.30 am the Battalion moved to the forming up Area about FARM RAVINE (H.20.a) and at 6.45 am the Companies moved off to take up their positions as advance guard to the 88th Brigade, "Y" Coy forming the 20th-21st Vanguard in the first captured German (contd) line and the other Coys in our old front line. This was completed by 9.20 am. At 11am the advance was sounded by bugle and the Battalion went forward, "W" Coy on the right, "Z" Coy on the left & "X" Coy in support. The four tanks preceded the Vanguard, themselves guided by eight Battalion scouts; all Coys in artillery formation until the 2nd objective was passed, when they extended into two lines. Opposition was first encountered from a strong point about L.35.d. just beyond the HINDENBURG Support line and a this strong point base was captured at 12 noon, 70 prisoners being taken. 2/Lieut Davies was wounded by a treacherous shot during the surrender of the prisoners. Shortly after this a platoon under Captain Hobday captured three field guns and two machine guns were also taken in the Strong Point. Enemy troops still held the suburb of LES RUE VERTES South of Masnieres but was soon dislodged by the combined operations of the ESSEX and WORCESTERSHIRE Regiments. At 1 pm the Canal was reached, but unfortunately the bridge which had apparently been prepared for destruction collapsed under the leading Tank thereby blocking all advance, and the advance was subsequently held up by heavy Machine Gun & Rifle fire from houses on the Northern side of the Canal. In spite of all efforts to get across under covering fire from 5 or 6 tanks no progress was possible at this point and thr Southern bank of the Canal was accordingly lined by troops under whose covering fire efforts were made to cross by one or two foot bridges. Under cover of the fire from platoons of Y and W Coys Capt. Morison, crossing a small foot bridge, established his company in a mill on an island between the river and the Canal and endeavoured by his fire to cover further attempts to cross. At 4.30 pm, by the aid of 2 tanks which gave covering fire, 2/Lieut Narchant with some of his men made a gallant attempt to rush a small pontoon bridge, but was killed with several of his men in the effort. Further gallant ettempts were made by Capt Morison commanding Y Coy and Lieut: Hoysgood with small parties, but 20th-21st without success, both of these officers (Contd) being killed & Lieut Reid wounded with many of their men. It was therefore decided to cease these efforts & organise the defence of the Canal for the night. In the meantime the lock Bridge in L.24.6 to the West and another in G 27 to the East had been occured by the NEWFOUNDLAND and WORCESTER Regts and who effected crossings at these points. A number of Cavalry united in LES RUE VERTES till a late hour in the hopes of being able to get across, but were then withdrawn, a small party actually crossing by the lock bridge in G 27. At 11 pm mopping up parties from all four Battalions were sent North of the Canal to clear out the snipers, a party of Essex under Lieuts: Curson, Hope and Vaughton crossing by the lock in L 24 co-operating with the Newfoundlands in clearing as far as the main MASNIERES - CAMBRAI Road. They returned at 3 am reporting all clear. Under orders received from Brigade to form a Bridge-head, Y and Z Coys moved off at 3.45 am to cross by the lock at L.24. and established themselves along the Railway G 19 central, G 20 central. At 4 am 2/Lieut Miles (Intelligence Officer) set out with some scouts to reconnoitre the positions selected and at 6.30 am returned and reported that finding the enemy in occupation, Y and Z Coys had dug in along the Railway about L 19 central in touch with the Newfoundland Regt on their left. At 9 am W Coy was sent off conducted by the Intelligence Officer with instructions to establish themselves in rear of Y & Z Coys, to send patrols across to the East of the Cambrai Road, and should the front trenches of the MASNIERES - BEAUREVOIR Line be found unoccupied by the enemy, to establish themselves therein. It was notified that at 11 am a combined attack by the 87th & 88th Brigades would advance and capture the MASNIERES - BEAUREVOIR Line. At 11.30 am W Coy was held up West of the Cambrai Road and engaged the enemy, having found it impossible to get scouts across the Cambrai Road. At this juncture Tanks appeared to be moving in an Easterly direction from MARCOING 20th-21st along the ridge L.24 Central, G 19 (Contd) Central leading the attack of the 87th Brigade. W Coy attempted to advance parallel to these Tanks in a North Easterly direction but on reaching the German wire G 20 b they were stopped by a Cross Machine Gun fire and being unable to proceed further formed a line on the Southern slope of the ridge in prolongation of the South Wales Borderers. There were many casualties from the heavy enemy fire and 2/Lieut Vaughton was reported "Missing" after this action. Meanwhile at 10 am Headquarters and X Coys started up the main Cambrai Road through Masnieres with a view to taking up their position in front of the German line about G 20 d 5.6 to G 21 C 2.6. However, on reaching the point G 20 d 5.5 they came under heavy Machine Gun and Rifle fire from housetops on both sides of the road and several men fell. Headquarters and X Coy opened a hot fire on the buildings from which the sniping came and under cover of this were withdrawn to the West of the village since their orders did not admit of delay. At 11 am the attack of the 87th Brigade commenced and having failed to get to their appointed positions East of the Cambrai Road, Headquarters and X Coy cooperated with the 87th Brigade covering their right flank during the advance. When the advance of the 87th Brigade ceased, held up by resistance on the Cambrai Road, Headquarters marched, acompanied by X Coy, via the Canal bank to a position near the Sugar Factory at G 27 a, got in touch with Brigade HQ and awaited further orders. At 3 pm 2/Lieut Miles returned to Headquarters and reported the situation of the other 3 Coys. At 5 pm orders were received to take up a position on the left of the HAMPSHIRE Regt. between the MASNIERES - RUMILLY and MASNIERES - CAMBRAI Roads about G 21 d 2.7, G 20 b 6.1 in touch with South Wales Borderers on the West of the Cambrai Road. Whilst this position was being reconnoitred and a tape got out 2/Lieut Miles was despatched to the West of Masnieres to bring up W, Y and Z Coys and by 6.30 pm all Coys were in position 20th-21st digging in. Casualties on the (Contd) 20th/21st amounted to - Killed 3 officers, 21 men; Wounded, 2 officers, 107 men; Missing, 1 officer, 31 men.
Source: www.hellfirecorner.co.uk/essex.htm

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / South Lopham (show map)

Taken on: August 7, 2018

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George Hawes

George Edward Hawes

1st Battalion Essex Regiment

20/11/1917

20th November 1917

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