'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 12th October 1917 during the attack on Belle Vue Spur this non-commissioned officer was in command of a Lewis gun section. His Company was held up by machine-gun fire from two "Pillboxes" and all his men except one became casualties. Corporal Hawkes, however displayed conspicuous bravery by moving round the flank from shell hole to shell hole, and maintaining fire from his gun under a murderous fire from the enemy. His disregard for his own safety, and his devotion to duty in face of the enemy's fire enabled the positions to be captured.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 14 January 1918

Regimental number	8/2941
Date of birth	9 February 1894
Place of birth	Wallacetown
Religion	Presbyterian
Occupation	Farmer
Address	Wallacetown
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	21
Height	5' 7"
Weight	136 lbs
Next of kin	Father, J Hawkes, Wallacetown
Previous military service	Served in 8th Regiment, Territorial Force; still serving at time of NZEF enlistment.
Enlistment date	11 June 1915
Place of enlistment	Trentham
Rank on embarkation	Private
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 7th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on 10 October 1915
	The 7th Reinforcements left New Zealand on 10 October 1915 aboard three ships ('Aparima', 'Navua' and 'Warrimoo'). It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Final rank	Sergeant
Final unit	1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment
Fate	Died of wounds 20 December 1917
Age at death from cemetery records	23
Place of burial	Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery (Plot XXVII, Row C, Grave No 6), Belgium
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records	Parents: James and Emma Hawkes, Wallacetown, Southland
Medals	Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 12th October 1917 during the attack on Belle Vue Spur this non-commissioned officer was in command of a Lewis gun section. His Company was held up by machine-gun fire from two "Pillboxes" and all his men except one became casualties. Corporal Hawkes, however displayed conspicuous bravery by moving round the flank from shell hole to shell hole, and maintaining fire from his gun under a murderous fire from the enemy. His disregard for his own safety, and his devotion to duty in face of the enemy's fire enabled the positions to be captured.' Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 14 January 1918
Other details	War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Wellington, 10 October 1915; disembarked Suez, 18 November 1915. Embared Egypt to join the British Expeditionary Force, France, 6 April 1916. Wounded in action, 27 September 1916 (gun shot wound, neck), and admitted to 15th Casualty Clearing Station; rejoined Bn, in the field, 3 October 1916. Appointed Lance Corporal, 8 February 1917. Admitted to 77th Field Ambulance, 15 May 1917 (mumps), and transferred to No 1 NZ Field Ambulance; to No 7 General Hospital, 27 May 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 12 June 1917. On leave to United Kingdom, 12 July 1917; rejoined Bn from leave, 24 July 1917. Promoted Corporal, 1 August 1917. On leave to Paris, 19 October 1917; rejoined Bn from leave, 29 October 1917. Awarded Military Medal. Promoted Sergeant, 10 November 1917. Wounded in action, 15 December 1917 (gun shot wound, chest and neck); admitted to No 3 NZ Field Ambulance, 16 December 1917; transferred to No 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, 16 December 1917. Died of wounds, 20 December 1917. War service: 2 years 193 days (of which 804 days were abroad) Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous details	Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Infantry Batln/Seventh
Sources	Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 16793122