William Hawkes

A Master (Skipper) with Trawler Rupee (Brixham), Ernest died on 3rd of October 1917. 

William was born at Carlton Colville in 1870, a son of Henry and Mary Ann Hawkes. He was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Carlton Colville, on 29 January 1871. His family lived 'near The Bell' Carlton Colville and this was still their address in 1881. 

William married Martha Ann Wilson at Saint Peter's Church, Carlton Colville, on 24 October 1889. William was a fisherman. In 1891 they were living at Bell Corner, Carlton Colville. By 1901 they lived at Beccles Road, Carlton Colville, and this was still their address in 1911. Later Martha lived at Waverley House, The Avenue, South Lowestoft.

William was the Skipper of the trawler Rupee and among the crew was his son Ernest. 

On 3 October 1917 the Rupee was 12 miles north of Lundy when captured by a German submarine which proceeded to sink the trawler, by gunfire. Four of the crew, including William, and his son Ernest, were killed. 

William's brother Robert served with the Suffolk Regiment and died in 1917.