CRICH PARISH

Crich, Fritchley, Whatstandwell, Bullbridge, Crich Carr, Coddington, Wheatcroft, Wakebridge

Frederick George Hawley

Private

 

Notes
Frederick Hawley was born in 1882, eldest son of George and Selina Hawley, who lived on Gladstone Terrace, Matlock Bank in 1891. By 1901, Frederick was working as a groom at the Normanhurst Stables on Hackney Lane in Matlock. He was later employed as the chauffeur of J.B.Marsden-Smedley at Lea Green. He drove the first motor car in the village, J.B.'s Panhard Levassor.

Panhard Levassor autobobile

At first he served in the Royal Fying Corps (service No 50906) but transferred to 1st Battalion the Prince of Wales' North Staffordshire Regiment (Pte 28086). He died on 12th June 1917, aged Thirty-five at Zillebeke, Ypres Salient, Belgium. He is buried at Railway Dugout Burial Ground, Ypres, Belgium and the grave reference is: V11.Q.3.
Frederick George Hawley left for service in June 1916 and sailed for France later in that year.  He was in France in November as Arnold Hall reported meeting him at that time.
He received parcels of hosiery and groceries at Christmas 1916 but was killed in action in the first part of 1917. The Parish Magazine for August 1917 carried the following notice:
‘There are many in Dethick, Lea and Holloway who sympathise deeply with Mrs Hawley in her sorrow. Frederick George Hawley is added to the Roll of Honour. He was a brave man and faithful servant. The sacrifice was great indeed; the fruits of it will be great in proportion. God is righteous. The time will come when we shall see that in the plan of God there is a purpose in the sacrifice. In the meantime only faith can save our despair. We realise to-day that Christian faith is a pearl of great price. R.I.P.’
His death is commemorated in Christ Church (Lea), St Giles Church (Matlock), Matlock War Memorial but not on the War Memorial at Smedley’s Mill.

Medal Card Index
He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals

Newspaper Report

Derbyshire Courier, 10 July 1917
LEA SOLDIER KILLED
Mrs Hawley, of Wellington Street, Matlock, widow of Sgt Major Hawley, for over 15 years a Derbyshire Yeoman, has been officially informed that her son, Private Frederick George Hawley, South Staffs Regiment, was killed in action on 12 June. The deceased soldier, who was 33 years of age, was chauffeur to Mr J B Marsden Smedley, of Lea Hurst, before he joined the Forces 12 months ago, eight of which he had spent at the front. He leaves a widow and one little girl, aged two years, who are present in Manchester, but whose home is at Lea. Another son, Private Albert Hawley, Derbyshire Yeomanry, although not yet 20 years of age,has seen over two and a half years active service, and is present in hospital suffering from a second attack of malaria. A third brother, Cpl James Edward Hawley, also of the Derbyshire Yeomanry, is at Salonica

Letter to JB Marsden-Smedley

Lea Nov 18/16
Dear Sir
Through the kindness of Mr. Whitcher I am able to forward you the enclosed addresses.
Pte F Hawley   No.  28086
8th North Staffs
12th I.B.D.
24th Section
C/o A.P.O.
B.E.F.   France
Cpl. J.F.M. Halksworth
S/4060/09
X Dv.Corps Troops, Supply Column, B.E.F., France
P.S.
With reference to the above address. I see in the Church Magazine for February 1916 he is put down as being a Lce Sergeant but the above address is as given to me by Mr. Whitcher.
Yours Obediently
George Barber

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

 

Fred is remembered on several war memorials –

Photos Peter Patilla

The war memorial plaque inside Christ Church, Lea
Pte. Frederick George Hawley
1st North Staffords
Zillebecke 12th June 1917

Lea War Memorial

Matlock War Memorial
Lea Mills men: J. Fletcher; F. Fox; F. Hawley

Plaque in St Giles Church, Starkholmes
Lea Mills men: J. Fletcher; F. Fox; F. Hawley

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Grove Hydro (1st Continental), The Stable, Hackney Lane, Darley Dale

Forename	Surname	Relationship	Age	Occupation	Where born
Frederick G	Hawley	servant	18	Groom	Matlock

RG13 piece 3266 folio 68 page 13

1911: Normanhurst Stables, Darley Dale

Forename	Surname	Relationship	Age	Occupation	Where born
Archie	Eidgson	groom	22	Groom domestic	Yorkshire
Frederick	Hawley	head groom	28	Groom domestic	Matlock

RG14PN21205 RG78PN1262 RD439 SD2 ED7 SN220

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