Another sudden death has occurred… when Edwin Giles Hawkins, Divisional Reserve company, 8th Divisional Train, BEF, passed away at the age of 38 years. Deceased… was called up with the National Reserves, and for some time he had been in France. On December 2nd he was granted eight days leave from the Front and arrived at home the same evening. He retired to rest at 10pm, apparently in his proper health. At 5am next morning he called his mother and complained of pains in the stomach. Hot water was applied and a doctor sent for but before the latter arrived he passed away.

Western Chronicle: Friday 10th December 1915

Edwin Giles Hawkins was bornin the autumn of 1877, the oldest of six children to Giles and Elizabeth. Giles had been born in West Coker, Somerset, and the family grew up in the Anchor Inn, Yeovil, where he was the innkeeper and glover.

By the time of the 1891 census, Giles had stepped down as landlord, and the growing family were living in a cottage next to the pub. He was working as a leather dresser and glover, working to feed his wife and five children.

Little information about Edwin’s time in the army before the First World War is available. However, his details are missing from the 1901 census, which would suggest that he was serving overseas at that point.

Edwin was called upon to due his duty once more when war was declared. Joining the Somerset Light Infantry, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, and, by December 1914, he was in France. Private Hawkins was caught up at Ypres the following spring and returned home on leave in December 1915.

The cause of Private Hawkins’ death was recorded as being heart failure. As the newspaper report noted, he was 38 years of age.

Edwin Giles Hawkins was laid to rest in Yeovil Cemetery, a short walk from where his parents still lived.

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