22835 Gen Sir John Ledlie Inglis HAWKESWORTH, KBE, CB, DSO*, MiD**, East Yorkshire Regt: 03/06/1945

I am a writer working on a history of the Greek Civil War. From all my information, General John Hawkesworth is the great unsung hero of the war. The late Christopher ("Monty") Woodhouse, who knew about this period as well as anybody, writes in his APPLE OF DISCORD, that he is the true saviour of Greece, in 1944-5. Yet there is a depressingly little biographical detail on him available, not even a photograph. I would be grateful for any additional information or suggestion.

 

Hi

You are right, there is little info on Gen Hawkesworth publicly available. I can only find references to pictures of him on the Imperial War museum collections.

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?f%5B0%5D=agentString%3AHawkesworth%2C%20John%20Ledlie%20Inglis&query=

You may have to contact them direct for a copy of the photographs.

Field Marshall Alexander sent Gen Hawkesworth along with some 10th Corps HQ to establish a Military presence in Pharelon (Greek Base Area, HQ of the newly created Military Command Athens (MCA)) with the vast number of reinforcements pouring into Greece, eventually allowing them to 'break in' from the sea. Gen Hawkesworth was a military man brought in to do a military job and with 2 extra divisions available to him, he did it very well.

A re-organisation mid-conflict to some would suggest that Gen Scobie wasn't coping. I would think anyone would struggle in the situation he was left in. But, Gen Hawkesworth had no political considerations to worry about, just beating ELAS with overwhelming force.

Gen Scobies vastly understrength 3 Corps was renamed HQ Land Forces and Military Liaison Greece (HQ LF & ML(G)) allowing him to concentrate on one thing only and that was Mr Churchills wishes to preserve the current Greek government brought back from exile in Oct.

I think they were all unsung heroes in Dec 44. The first troops arriving in Greece had been told it would be an easier time and for those who fought hard in Italy and North Africa they thought they had deserved it. They were mostly trained and sent as peacekeepers. 23 Arm Bde were completely outside their comfort zone having being relieved of their tanks and re-organised as infantry. I don't think any of them were really prepared for the months ahead.

Good luck in you research.

Gus

 

apdox

By the end of the war it was obvious that the Greek issue a was sink hole devouring reinforcements by the gallon and the base depots were being scourged for more and more " volunteers "

a choice was offered - Greece - Austria or Burma with six months home leave - not trusting any of the Army's choices - I voted for Austria - happily !

Cheers

 

Personal Number: 22835
Rank: Major-General
Name: John Ledlie Inglis HAWKESWORTH, KBE, CB, DSO*, MiD**
Unit: East Yorkshire Regiment


London Gazette : 8 September 1914
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28894/page/7100/data.pdf
INFANTRY.
The undermentioned, from the Un-attached List, Territorial Force, Officers Training Corps, to be Second Lieutenants (on probation). Dated 15th August, 1914: —
John Ledlie Inglish Hawkesworth, 3rd Battalion, East Yorks Regiment.

London Gazette : 7 February 1921
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32218/supplement/1039/data.pdf
The following are among the Decorations and Medals awarded by the Allied Powers at various dates to the British Forces for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign:—
His Majesty, the King has given unrestricted permission in all cases to wear the Decorations and Medals in, question.
DECORATIONS CONFERRED BY HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS.
Croix de Guerre.
Captain John Ledlie Inglis Hawkesworth, O.B.E., The East Yorkshire Regiment.

London Gazette : 21 January 1927
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33241/page/435/data.pdf
E. York E.—Capt. J. L. I. Hawkesworth, O.B.E., is secd, whilst a student at the Staff Coll. 21st Jan. 1927.

London Gazette : 15 January 1929
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33457/page/400/data.pdf
The undermentioned are restd. to the estabt.:—
E. York R.—
Capt. J. L. I. Hawkesworth, O.B.E. 22nd Dec. 1928.

London Gazette : 7 February 1930
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33577/page/798/data.pdf
REGULAR ARMY.
COMMANDS AND STAFF.
The undermentioned appts. are made: —
Capt. J. L. I. Hawkesworth, O.B.E., E. York R., to be Bde. Maj. 15th Inf. Bde. 28th Jan. 1930.

London Gazette : 21 February 1930
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33582/page/1144/data.pdf
E. York R.—Capt. J. L. I. Hawkesworth,. O.B.E., is secd, for serv. on the Staff. 28th Jan. 1930.

London Gazette : 5 April 1932
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33814/page/2215/data.pdf
COMMANDS AND STAFF.
Maj. J. L. I. Hawkesworth, O.B.E., E. York R., from Bde. Maj., 15th Inf. Bde., is apptd. D.A.A.G., N. Comd. 31st Mar. 1932.

London Gazette : 2 February 1934
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34020/page/751/data.pdf
COMMANDS AND STAFF.
The undermentioned relinquish their appts.:—
Maj. & Bt. Lt.-Col. J. L. I. Hawkesworth, O.B.E., E. York R., as D.A.A.G., N. Comd. 28th Jan. 1934.

London Gazette : 30 October 1934
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34100/page/6862/data.pdf
ESTABLISHMENTS.
Staff Coll.—Maj. & B t. Hawkesworth, O.B.E., E. York R., to be G.S.O., 2nd Grade. 22nd Oct. 1934.

London Gazette : 29 January 1937
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34364/page/618/data.pdf
E. York R.—Maj. & Bt. Lt.-Col. J. L. I. Hawkesworth, O.B.E., to be Lt.-Col. 22nd Jan. 1937;

London Gazette : 23 December 1938
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34582/page/8177/data.pdf
The names of the undermentioned have been brought to notice by the General Officer Commanding the British Forces in Palestine and Trans-Jordan, in recognition of distinguished services rendered in connection with the opera- tions in Palestine during the period, 12th September, 1937 to 31st March, 1938:—:
2nd Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York's Own).
Hawkesworth, Lt.-Col. J. L. I., O.B.E.

London Gazette : 20 August 1940
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34926/supplement/5075/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotion in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for distinguished services in the field: —
To be Additional Commanders of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order: —
Colonel (acting Brigadier) John Ledlie Inglis Hawkesworth, O.B.E., The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York's Own).

London Gazette : 24 December 1940
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35021/supplement/7206/data.pdf
COMMANDS AND STAFF.
The undermentioned appts. are made: —
The undermentioned to be Comdrs.: —
Col. (temp. Brig.) J. L. I. Hawkesworth, O.B.E. (22835) to be Dir. Mil. Training, War Office,, and is granted the actg. rank of Maj.- Gen. 9th Dec. 1940.

London Gazette : 29 April 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35146/supplement/2423/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned for distinguished services in the field: —
Commands and Staff.
Hawkesworth, Col. (actg. Brig.) (now actg. Maj.-Gen.) J. L. I., C.B.E. (22835) (late E. York R.)

London Gazette : 16 December 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35381/supplement/7093/data.pdf
REGULAR ARMY.
Maj.-Gen. (actg.) J. L. I. Hawkesworth, C.B.E. (22835), to be temp. Maj.-Gen. 9th Dec. 1941. (Substituted for the notifn. in the Gazette of 12th Dec.-1941.)

London Gazette : 6 January 1942
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35406/supplement/129/data.pdf
REGULAR ARMY.
Maj.-Gen. (temp.) J. L. I. Hawkesworth, C.B.E. (22835), to be Maj.-Gen. 25th Dec. 1941, with seniority 27th Oct. 1941.

London Gazette : 1 January 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35841/page/3/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and. appointments to, the Most Honourable Order of the Bath:—
To be Additional Members of the Military Division of the Third Class, or Companions, of the said Most Honourable Order:—
Major-General John Ledlie Inglis Hawkesworth, C.B.E. (22835), late The East Y orkshire Regiment (The Duke of York's Own).

London Gazette : 5 August 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36120/supplement/3522/data.pdf
The KING has .been .graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Tunisia:-
The Distinguished Service Order.
Major-General John Ledlie Inglis Hawkesworth, C.B., C.B.E. (22835), late The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York's Own).

London Gazette : 24 August 1944
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36668/supplement/3926/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy : —
Commands and Staff.
Maj.-Gen. J. L. I. Hawkesworth, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O. (22835), late E. York R.

London Gazette : 24 November 1944
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36808/supplement/5377/data.pdf
Maj.-Gen. J. L. I. Hawkesworth, C.B., C.B.E., D.S:O. (22835), is granted the actg. rank of Lt.-Gen. 6th Nov. 1944.

London Gazette : 8 February 1945
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36928/supplement/795/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy: —
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order.
Major-General (temporaoy) John Ledlie Hawkesworth, C .B ., C.B.E., D.S.O. (22835), late The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York's Own).

 

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7383971

View attachment 106657

 

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7347773

 

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7352290

 

Don't have access to the one from this file. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C600837

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7401027

 

London Gazette : 29 April 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35146/supplement/2423/data.pdf

 

London Gazette : 23 December 1938
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34582/page/8177/data.pdf

 

London Gazette : 24 August 1944
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36668/supplement/3926/data.pdf

 

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/f...s/2814530/sir-john-ledlie-inglis-hawkesworth/
LIEUTENANT GENERALSir JOHN LEDLIE INGLIS HAWKESWORTH
Awards: Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Companion of the Bath, Distinguished Service Order and Bar
Regiment & Unit: General Staff and East Yorkshire Regiment, Cdg. X Corps
Date of Death: 03 June 1945
Age 52 years old
Buried or commemorated at GIBRALTAR (NORTH FRONT) CEMETERY
Grave Reference: Plot 1. Row C. Grave 2.
Location: Gibraltar
Additional Info: Son of the Revd. John Hawkesworth and Frances Hawkesworth; husband of Lady Hawkesworth (nee McNaughton), of Camberley, Surrey. M.A. (Oxon.). Queen's College.
Also served in the 1914-18 War.

 

See also:

• John Hawkesworth (British Army officer) - Wikipedia
• Biography of Lieutenant-General John Ledlie Inglis Hawkesworth (1893 – 1945), Great Britain
• Sir John Ledlie Inglis Hawkesworth - National Portrait Gallery
  
• 
• John Leslie Inglis Hawkesworth (1893-1945) - Find...
  
• 
• CWGC - Additional Awards and Decorations

His son:

• 176729 John Stanley HAWKESWORTH, Grenadier Guards

 

1. JLI Hawkesworth's son - also John - was the man who brought Upstairs Downstairs, The Duchess of Duke Street and The ITV Sherlock Holmes to the screen.
2. Anyone who adheres to the notion "hard work never killed anyone"? I tell them about General Hawkesworth.