Pte George Leonard Hawkes, 204221, 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, died of wounds in Belgium on November 5th, 1917. He joined the Bedfordshire Regiment (No. 3443) at the outbreak of war and was severely wounded in the jaw and shoulder at Gallipoli, requiring two years of medical treatment. Within a fortnight of later being drafted to France with the Norfolks he was so severely wounded in the head that he died a few hours later.

George was the son of Mrs Annie Hawkes, of 58 Baker Street, Luton, and the late Joseph Hawkes. His wounding at Gallipoli came at the second landing at Suvla Bay and his injuries were so severe that his discharge from the Army seemed certain.

He spent weary months in hospital, undergoing seven operations for the repair of his broken shoulder. After two years he was pronounced fit, but instead of returning to his old comrades he was drafted to France. There he was transferred to the Norfolk Regiment, and within a fortnight of setting foot on the Continent he was so severely wounded in the head that he died a few hours later.

George Hawkes was aged 26 and prior to the war he was employed as a moulder at the Diamond Foundry.

His brother Albert was killed in action on September 29th, 1915. His eldest brother, Gunner Fred Hawkes (Royal Garrison Artillery) was at the time of George's death in St John's Hospital, Sheffield, where he had had a leg amputated, while another brother, William. was in France with the R.G.A. and his youngest brother was working in munitions.