6/3734 Private Frank Hawksworth, (26/2/1890-22/5/1916). "we can ill afford to lose"

Relatives of Private Frank Hawksworth, who left New Zealand with the Ninth Reinforcements, were informed yesterday afternoon that he was killed it action on May 22nd. The deceased, who was farming in the Sounds district when he enlisted, was the second surviving son of the late Mr J. Hawksworth, and a brother of the Misses Hawksworth, of Nelson. He was 26 years of age, and a fine manly young fellow. Telegrams of sympathy have been received from the Governor, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Defence. The deceased's eldest brother, Sergeant John Hawksworth, also gave his life for his country, dying from sickness contracted during the South African campaign.  -Nelson Evening Mail, 7/6/1916.

THANKS. 

THE relatives of the late Private Frank Hawksworth desire to thank all kind sympathisers in their late bereavement.  -Colonist, 24/6/1916.

PERSONAL

Captain F. Starnes, who was in the trenches with Private Hawksworth when he was shot, has written to Miss Hawksworth, of Nelson, giving details of the occasion. He states that Private Hawksworth was shot by a sniper at 4.45 a.m. on May 21st. He was shot in the head, and never suffered, as he died about a quarter of an hour afterwards without regaining consciousness. Captain Starnes adds: "His death is much regretted by all who knew him, for he was looked upon as a conscientious, reliable, and brave man, the like of whom we can ill afford to lose."  -Colonist, 22/7/1916.

Frank Hawksworth died while serving in the Canterbury Regiment, during their first period in the Front Line in France, after their experience in Gallipoli.  Conditions there, with more and better organised artillery on both sides, strongly favoured the defenders.  Night raids on enemy trenches was one way of taking the fight to them and it is probably a raid which is described in a line in a letter sent home by one of his mates, referring to Frank and "a very hot night sometime back:

Some of us had go at the devils a few nights before, and I can safely say I got three to my credit, so I have done a little good, I thought of poor old Frank Hawksworth when I was getting to them.   -Pelorus Guardian and Miners Advocate, 9/1/1917.

Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.