Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Alfred Roy Hawke, known as Roy, was born on 24 January 1889 at Geraldine, the youngest son of William and Frances (née Hunton) Hawke. William and Frances married at Sheffield, Yorkshire, England in June 1864 and four months later arrived at Lyttelton, New Zealand. They settled first at Temuka, before taking up property (“Lingodells”) near Geraldine in about 1866. Five daughters and seven sons were born to William and Frances. Roy was educated at Geraldine School, where he received a Standard III class prize in 1899 and a Standard V special attendance prize in 1902. At the annual meeting of parishioners of St John’s Church, Winchester, in May 1897, prizes – beautiful books give for good attendance and progress - were distributed to the Sabbath School children. Among the recipients were Roy Hawke for third place in Class 5 progress and first equal attendance, and his older sister Linda and brother Jack. In May 1900, he took the part of a newsboy in the kinderspiel entitled “Dan the Newsboy” in a successful entertainment in aid of St Mary’s Sunday School, Geraldine. When his oldest brother, William Frederick Hawke (Frederick), married at St Mary’s Church, Geraldine, on 31 January 1898, Roy’s gift to the newly-marrieds was an enamel kettle. Another brother, James Arthur Hawke, married at Hampden on 18 February 1903, Master Roy Hawke giving silver jelly spoons. While Mr Roy Hawke was riding along the Geraldine Road on the last Saturday of May 1904, “he met with a nasty accident. The horse, startled at the sudden appearance of some animals on the road, shied and throw him. Falling on his head, he was stunned, but recovering to some extent he managed to reach home and has since been confined to his room.” Roy Hawke came second in hat-trimming, one of many sports engaged in by young and old at the Orari School treat in December 1911. In 1913 he was a groomsman at a Woodbury wedding.

Albert Roy Hawke enlisted on 6 October 1914 at Timaru and was medically examined the same day. He was 5 feet 8¾ inches tall, weighed 140 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 32¼-35 inches. His complexion fair, his eyes and hair brown. His sight and hearing were both good, his colour vision correct, his limbs and chest well formed, and his heart and lungs normal. He had false teeth top and bottom. He was free from diseases, vaccinated and in good bodily and mental health. A chemist for J. C. Oddie, Timaru, single and of Church of England affiliation, he named his father as next-of-kin – William Hawke, Geraldine. Private Hawke was attached to the Mounted Ambulance on 20 October.

Trooper A R Hawke embarked with the Medical Corps (Field Ambulance) of the 2nd Reinforcements, departing from Wellington on 14 December 1914 and disembarking at Suez on 28 January 1915. After being attached for duty to a Hospital Ship at Alexandria on 10 April 1915, he was transferred to Headquarters on 19 August 1915 before rejoining his Unit at Anzac on 29 August 1915. He may have been present for the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. On 18 July 1915, Hawke had been appointed Lance Corporal with the Mounted Ambulance. Trooper A. R. Hawke, of the South Canterbury Mounted Field Ambulance, wrote to his mother, Mrs W. Hawke, Lingodells, Geraldine, from a “Fleet Sweeper” in mid- 1915 — “I am again on the sea, was very glad to get away from Lemnos: was working for a fortnight in the hospital there, and it is a terrible place for wind and flies. . . . . . . . I am detached from the Mounted Ambulance at present, and have been ever since we left Egypt. . . . . . . I have not managed to get ashore at Gallipoli yet, but it is my ambition to do so, and I may have the luck any day now as we are just alongside the coast every second day. We have had shrapnel landing near us, and also a few bombs from air craft, but that is nothing so long as they don’t hit you. There are only nine N.Z.M.C’s, that is not counting our two skippers, and we have to look after (censored). I am afraid Mr Censor will object if I give you details.”

Hawke was admitted to Intarfa Hospital at Malta on 16 September 1915, with enteric. He was discharged from there to Ghajn Tuffieha at Malta on 7 November, with dysentery. Discharged to Active Service a month later, he disembarked at Alexandria on 13 December and was taken on Strength at the New Zealand Base at Cairo. He was on duty as Camp Commandant Staff at Moascar on 26 December 1915, before rejoining his Unit (Mounted Ambulance) at Zeitoun on 3 January 1916 and being attached to Strength. On 15 January he was again appointed Lance Corporal with the Mounted Ambulance at Anzac, and on 27 January he marched out from Zeitoun. Appointed Acting Corporal on 3 February 1916 at Anzac, he was appointed Temporary Corporal on 19 February, then promoted to Corporal with the Mounted Field Ambulance at Alexandria on 13 March.

Corporal A R Hawke was admitted to hospital at Port Said (Egypt) from the Field Ambulance on 4 July 1916 – not yet diagnosed. Going by hospital train to Cairo on 11 July, he was admitted to the Aotea Convalescent Home at Heliopolis. Still in Egypt with the New Zealand Medical Corps on 1 August 1916, Corporal Hawke discharged to duty at Moascar on 21 August and was transferred to the New Zealand Mounted Training Regiment of the Field Ambulance on 29 August. As of 29 October 1916, he was in Egypt. Having been appointed Temporary Sergeant at El Mustagidda on 22 November 1916, he was promoted to Sergeant in the Field with the NZ Mounted Field Ambulance on 8 March 1917.

Sergeant A R Hawke was Mentioned in Despatches by General Sir Archibald Murray, Commander-in-Chief, Egypt, in March 1917. Then on 23 May 1917, the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London, granted the award of the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field. He was subsequently awarded a Bar to his Military Medal for further acts of gallantry (June 1917). The Minister for Defence sent his congratulations to Mr William Hawke, of “Lingodells”, Geraldine, on the splendid heroism of his son. The supplement to the London Gazette of 6 July 1917 named Corporal (temp. Sergeant) A R Hawke, No. 3/410, Medical Corps, and others in a dispatch from General Sir Archibald Murray – names which “I desire to bring to your notice for gallant or distinguished conduct in the field, or for other valuable services.” He was still in Egypt on 31 July 1917. From 15 September 1917 he was to be Staff Sergeant to complete establishment.

A hospital and progress report in October 1918, listed Staff-Sergeant A R Hawke, 3/410, Geraldine, as a severe case. He had disembarked at Malta from the Hospital Ship “Gascon” on 16 September, slightly sick, and gone to hospital, sick, on 13 October. On 20 October he was admitted to the 24th Stationary Hospital, with malaria, and the next day to the 27th General Hospital at Abbassia (Cairo), suffering from severe malaria. He was discharged from hospital to the Aotea Convalescent Home at Heliopolis on 2 November 1918, and he went from the Aotea Convalescent Home to duty at Ismailia on 24 November, posted to the Training Regiment. A week later he was boarded for New Zealand, on account of the malaria.

Mrs W Hawke, Geraldine, received word in mid-January 1919 that her son, Staff-Sergeant A R Hawke, MM, was expected to arrive in New Zealand about the 20th January by transport 208. He had been on active service for four years and three months, having been through both Gallipoli and Palestine campaigns and won his military medal and bar. Transport No. 208, “Malta”, was due at a New Zealand port in late January 1919, bringing home from Egypt invalided soldiers, among them Staff-Sergeant-Major Albert Roy Hawke, of Geraldine, and other South Canterbury men. He had embarked on 13 December 1918 at Suez and a telegraph was sent when his arrival home was imminent. On 30 January, many flags were flown at Geraldine in honour of the soldiers who were returning home. A large crowd had gathered near the post office when the cars bringing the morning group arrived, among them Staff Sergeant-Major Hawke, DCM. The men were formally welcomed by the Mayor, who said that “this was indeed a red-letter day for Geraldine”, and heartily cheered by the people. Albert Roy Hawke was discharged on 27 February 1919, no longer physically fit for war service on account of illness (malaria) contracted on active service. He had served for over four years at Gallipoli and in Egypt, and was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, as well as the Military Medal and Mention in Despatches. Lance-Corporal A R Hawke (N.Z. Ambulance) became a regular name on the Temuka Leader’s Active Service List for Geraldine.

At a meeting of the Geraldine Branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association in June 1919, Mr Roy Hawke, the Association’s delegate to the Christchurch conference, reported on the business which had boon transacted. He stressed the necessity for enthusiasm in the local branch and urged that a campaign be undertaken for the purpose of enrolling members. He was thanked for his services at the conference. Mr A R Hawke had been elected vice-president of the Geraldine Association in April 1919. On 17 July 1919 an impressive ceremony and one which was unique in the history of the town took place in the Timaru Drill Hall. In the company of a large assemblage of Territorials, Senior Cadets, and the general public, Sir James Allen, Acting Prime-Minister and Minister for Defence, presented twelve decorations for bravery in the field of action. He congratulated the assembly on the peace which their brave men had won, and he expressed his deep sympathy with the parents and relatives of those who would never return. To the wounded, he expressed his fervent hope that they would soon recover; and to those who had returned well he expressed the hope that they would soon settle down in civilian life again. One of those to whom Sir James presented decorations was Sergeant Roy Hawke, Geraldine, MM.

The Church or England, Geraldine, gave a most successful welcome home in September 1919 to all the returned soldiers connected with the Church. A short service of thanksgiving for the safe return of the men from the war, and a memorial service for those who had perished, was held in the church, the church being thronged by a large congregation. A social was afterwards held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, opening with the singing of the National Anthem. Games and competitions, with songs and selections by the Orchestra were greatly enjoyed by young and old. Some of the competitions were most amusing, and the hat trimming competition, for which ten men entered, was voted the best item of the evening. Mr Roy Hawke was placed first. After the supper interval Canon Hamilton, on belief of the parishioners, welcomed the men who had returned from active service. He also thought it desirable to have a church memorial for the men who had laid down their lives in the great conflict and suggested a Lych Gate, with the names of the fallen inscribed on tablets placed under the roof of the gate, and the public would always be reminded of their brave deeds. It was in September 1919 that Mr R Hawke was a member of a strong men’s committee which supported the ladies in running a Fancy Fair at the Orari Coronation Hall. His sister Lucy who was a teacher, was the energetic organiser of the fair. A R Hawke was back for the Garden Fete held on 2 December 1920, managing the Tennis stall, and Miss L. Hawke the energetic organiser of the Anglican Committee. In April 1921, Roy was best man for his friend Fred Hart when Fred married at St Augustine’s Church, Waimate. With regard to the crisis in the Near East, Sergt-Major Patchett had a busy time at the Defence Office in Timaru again on 26 August 1922, taking the names of volunteers for service, and replying to inquiries by others. The enlistments come from all parts of South Canterbury, and from people in all walks of life. No one under the age of 20 is accepted, and for what is called the general class only single men are accepted. Among those who enlisted that day was A. R. Hawke. Was this Albert Roy Hawke, not the only returned soldier? Or his nephew Arthur Richard Hawke who lived locally but would have been not quite twenty years of age?

S/Sgt. A R Hawke was one of those present at the first social function held by the newly-formed Geraldine Ex-Servicemen’s Association in September 1927. The association was primarily formed to keep alive Anzac Day. They would probably meet only once a year. Toasts were honoured, a roll call taken, and entertainment provided. At the annual meeting of the Geraldine Ex-Servicemen’s Association in April 1929, Mr A R Hawke was elected secretary. In May 1929, as secretary, he wrote to the Geraldine Borough Council “asking permission to erect a rock seat on the lawn surrounding the War Memorial, and pointing out that the Memorial required cleaning and minor attention, a share of which cost the Association would be willing to pay. Councillors Miller and Sherratt were appointed to meet representatives of the Ex-Servicemen’s Association to discuss the matter.” In November 1929, Mr Roy Hawke, secretary of the Ex-Servicemen’s Association, wrote stating that his committee had heard that there was a sum of money over after the memorial cross had been erected, and if this were correct, and the money was available, would the Council have the concrete at the base of the memorial repaired. They had talked with Mr W. A. Sherratt about the proposed seats and understood that Mr Sherratt would bring this before the Council that night. Stray cattle had been wandering over the memorial plot last week. Councillor Sherratt said the Association wanted to erect a stone seat under the trees, and to put flower-beds there; also, if there was money in hand, to plaster the base of the monument. They also objected to the long grass outside the plot, and he had suggested, if money was available, that the grass should be removed and concrete put down. Permission was granted the Association to erect the seat, but it was stated that no funds were available for other purposes. Writing again in March 1930, Mr Hawke stated “that they wished to hand over to the Council the two bluestone seats erected beside the Geraldine War Memorial.” Yet again in April 1930, Mr R. Hawke, hon. secretary of the Ex-Servicemen’s Association, wrote drawing attention to the rubbish dump at the Memorial Cross, more rubbish having been dumped there, and the previous rubbish not having been removed, as promised. They would be obliged if the matter was attended to by Anzac Day. It was to be removed.

At the 1930 annual meeting of the Geraldine Ex-Servicemen’s Association, the Temuka president congratulated Geraldine on having elected a good executive and said that they had an excellent secretary in Mr A R Hawke. Armistice Day was observed in Geraldine on 11 November 1930. “For two minutes yesterday, memories turned to those who laid down their lives for their country during the Great War, and to the cessation of hostilities twelve years ago. The bell at St. Mary’s, Geraldine, tolled for two minutes, and this was followed by “The Last Post,” sounded at the Memorial by Bugler N Watt. The flag at the Post Office was lowered to half-mast during the two minutes of silence, and those who gathered included the Deputy-Mayor (Mr J R Lack), the president of the Geraldine branch of the RSA (Mr W. McClure), and the secretary (Mr A R Hawke). All who gathered on the main street removed their hats. A number of wreaths were placed on the Memorial. Suitable reference was made in the schools.”

The annual report given at the 1931 annual meeting of the Geraldine Returned Soldiers’ Association noted that the Association was fortunate in having as its secretary Mr A R Hawke, and to him deep gratitude was expressed. At a reunion of the Geraldine Returned Soldiers’ Association in May 1931, Mr A Roy Hawke replied to a toast, saying that the ladles of Geraldine had always loyally supported the Association, and he was sure they always would. At the 1932 annual meeting, when the matter of membership of Boer War Veterans was raised, the secretary (Mr A. R. Hawke) quoted from the constitution of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, which laid down that all ex-servicemen who had fought in any war in which the Empire had been engaged were eligible for membership. On the motion of Dr G W Curtis and Mr Z Sherratt, the secretary was instructed to advise the local Boer War veterans that if they became members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association a representative would be elected to the committee. Appreciative reference was made to the hon. secretary (Mr A R Hawke). The president pointed out that Mr Hawke had acted as secretary for the past three years gratuitously, and he suggested that the Association should grant him an honorarium as a slight recognition of their appreciation. On the motion of Mr Winmill and the president, Mr Hawke was granted an honorarium of £2/2/-. Mr Hawke said that he was reluctant to take the grant as he felt the Association should keep the expenses as low as possible. Cries of ‘‘Sit down,” and “You’re out of order,” compelled Mr Hawke to drop the subject, but he continued by making a strong appeal for new members and urging present members to endeavour to induce other returned men to join up.

An impressive memorial service was held at the Domain at the conclusion of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Geraldine School in October 1932. Prior to the service, ex-pupils assembled at the Great War Memorial, where a wreath was deposited in honour of the ex-scholars who had made the supreme sacrifice in the Empire’s hour of need. The secretary of the Geraldine Returned Soldiers’ Association (Mr A. R. Hawke) handed a beautiful wreath, inscribed “In Memory of Old Schoolmates—Lest We Forget,'’ to the Rev. Canon Coursey. who placed it at the foot of the memorial, the ex-pupils standing in silence. “I dedicate this wreath.” said Canon Cursey, “to the following ex-pupils who laid down their lives during the War: — J Brett, G Worner, H Bryant, Alf Worner, A Bennington, H Pierpoint, P Burke, G W Loach, T J Boughton, W J Davis, S Clements [Clement], R D [B] Herdman, S C Farnie, J R Howard, H Hamilton, L O White, J M Hawke, L J Carver, J Magerty [Hagerty], P Hay, J M Howard, J Morrison, E Mullaney, A Maitland, A Robinson, W Russell, F D Templer, E White, Alex Worner. “Let those who follow see that their names are not forgotten!”

Reminiscences of the Great War, and a renewal of comradeship, were features of the annual re-union of members of the Geraldine Returned Soldiers’ Association, held in the Town Hall in May 1933, over 80 returned med being present. The president recorded that he had an indefatigable secretary in Mr A R Hawke. In proposing the toast of “The Retiring Secretary” (Mr A Roy Hawke), at the May 1934 reunion of the Geraldine Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr E O Winmill paid a warm tribute to Mr Hawke’s services. Situated as he was in the country at some distance from Geraldine Mr Hawke had carried on at some disability, but the affairs of the Association had been safe in his hands, and he had given great satisfaction. In reply, Mr Hawke thanked the members for their kindness to him during his five years as secretary. He expressed his gratitude to the president and to the treasurer (Mr A A Readdie) for their assistance. He had enjoyed his term of office and urged members to induce other returned men to join the Association, and thus it would continue to flourish. Mr A Roy Hawke had resigned after several years’ service. It may be that A R Hawke served in the Home Guard in World War Two. He did contribute to patriotic collections.

Albert Roy Hawke married Jane Craik MacGibbon in 1954 at Christchurch. After the war, Roy had returned to Geraldine and turned his hand to farming. He continued farming at “Lingodells for a few years after his mother’s move to Geraldine and her subsequent death. He next farmed at Four Peaks. It was at the Temuka and Geraldine Agricultural and Pastoral Association show in April 1924 that A R Hawke gained recognition – second placing for his mangolds and first for carrots. Like his father, Mr Roy Hawke was a shareholder in the Geraldine Co-operative Dairy Company. In the sheep weight-guessing competition held at the 1934 Geraldine and Temuka Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s show at Winchester, Mr A R Hawke (Four Peaks) won second prize, his guess being very close to the correct weight. After their marriage in 1954, Roy and Jane lived in Peel Street, Geraldine, remaining there until their respective deaths.

Albert Roy Hawke died on 20 August 1973 at Timaru (of Geraldine), aged 84 years, and was buried at the Geraldine Cemetery (close to his parents) following a service at St Mary’s Church, Geraldine. Members of the Returned Servicemen’s Association attended his funeral at the cemetery. His death was due to myocardial infarction (2 hours) and cardiac disease hypertrophy (2-3 years). On making his Will on 23 May 1958 at Geraldine, Albert Roy Hawke appointed his wife Jane Craik Hawke as executrix. In October 1975, however, Jane Craik Hawke renounced all right to probate and disclaimed all estate bequeathed to her. The Timaru District Public Trustee, therefore administered the estate – Post Office Savings Bank Account £1,145, Realty approximate value £5,300. Jane Craik Hawke, of Geraldine, the dearly beloved wife of the late Roy Hawke, died on 19 October 1980 at Timaru. After a service at Salisbury Park Crematorium, her ashes were interred with Roy at Geraldine.

Roy’s immediate older brother, John Martin Hawke, was killed in action at Passchendaele on 12 October 1917. He is remembered on his parents’ headstone at Geraldine. At that time, Albert was serving with the Medical Corps in Palestine. William Harold Wood, a nephew of John and Albert Roy Hawke, died of wounds in France on 4 September 1918, just 20 years old. Another nephew served in World War One - Frederick Lawson Hart; and yet another served in World War Two – Gordon James Headland Hawke. Mr William Hawke who died on 5 July 1920 at Christchurch (of “Lingodells”, Geraldine), had been keenly interested in the advancement of Orari and was an active member of the Anglican community of Geraldine and Orari. Mrs Frances Hawke died on 12 August 1927 at her Geraldine residence, having lived for 61 years at “Lingodells” and been a member of St Mary’s Church, Geraldine for 61 years – a record in the parish at the time. They were buried at Geraldine, Mrs Hawke’s six surviving sons being the bearers at her funeral. Mr and Mrs Hawke had celebrated their golden wedding at “Lingodells”, Geraldine on 8 June 1914, when all twelve of their children were living, most (all but one?) present for the occasion.

A photograph of Sergeant Roy Hawke, Military Medal, was printed in the Otago Witness on 2 January 1918.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [January 2015, 18 July 2016] ; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5539 0052180) [20 July 2016]; Temuka Leader, 11 May 1897, 5 February 1898, 22 May 1900, 3 March 1903, 31 May 1904, 21 December 1911, 11 June 1914, 6 January 1917, 7 & 9 June 1917, 29 November 1917, 21 September 1918, 5 November 1918, 16 & 25 January 1919, 1 February 1919, 19 June 1919, 18 & 23 September 1919, 10 July 1920, 7 December 1920, 26 February 1921, 14 April 1921, 20 August 1927, 10 September 1927, 14 & 26 September 1929, 14 November 1929, 10 April 1930, 27 May 1930, Timaru Herald, 26 December 1899, 23 December 1902, 31 March 1913, 27 August 1915, 28 May 1917, 7, 11 & 18 June 1917, 3 & 28 November 1917, 2 November 1918, 16, 21 & 31 January 1919, 14 April 1919, 17 June 1919, 18 July 1919, 22 September 1919, 10 July 1920, 9 April 1921, 23 August 1927, 30 April 1929, 16 May 1929, 13 February 1930, 13 March 1930, 10 April 1930, 12 November 1930, 11 March 1931, 2 & 15 April 1931, 2 & 25 May 1931, 3 May 1932, 17 October 1932, 24 May 1933, 14 April 1934, 23 & 26 May 1934, NZ Times, 4 October 1915, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 7 June 1917, 6 April 1921, Auckland Star, 8 June 1917, Dominion, 24 October 1917, Evening Post, 31 October 1918, Star, 15 January 1919, Otago Daily Times, 15 January 1919, 5 March 1941, Press, 16 January 1919, 20 August 1927, 8 March 1932, 14 April 1932, 26 May 1934, 21 August 1973, 20 October 1980, Otago Witness, 2 January 1918, 21 January 1919 (Papers Past) [19 December 2015; 08 August 2016; 05 August 2017; 22 October 2017; 21 & 22 May 2018; 22 August 2020; 26 March 2021; 14 July 2021; 21 January 2022; 17 May 2022; 14 July 2023; 10 November 2023; 13, 14 & 15 September 2024]; Geraldine Cemetery headstone images (Timaru District Council) [18 July 2016]; Timaru Herald, 21 August 1973 (Timaru District Library) [18 July 2016]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [10 November 2023]; Probate record (Archives NZ Collections) [13 September 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• HAWKE Albert Roy - newspaper clippings (pdf, 121.2 KB updated 24-Sep-2024)

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