Hello all, I am researching the career of the above officer, pre war he is easy to track down and from 1939-42 he was CO of 177th Infantry Brigade but after 1942 I can't find him anywhere until 1946 when he retires. Any ideas chaps? Don
Hello Donnie, If I have the right A E Hawkins, his d.o.b. was in 1892, so he would have been 50 years old in 1942 and possibly not wanted, or able, for service overseas. As you are probably aware the 177th Infantry Brigade was on the complement of 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division and destined to serve in NW Europe in 1944. Brig. A E Hawkins left the 177th Infantry Brigade on 10 August 1942. He was an Officer of the Dorsetshire Regiment: see link, right hand column, 1/3 of way down - http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34658/pages/5842/page.pdf He was gazetted as retained on the active list supernumerary to establishment with effect from 31 December 1944; see link, left hand column, 2/3 of way down - http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36877/supplements/213 I have found no information about his service between 11 August 1942 and 30 December 1944. Best, Steve.
In the April 1944 Army List he is listed as a Col. with seniority of 15 August 1938, but a Temporary Brigadier from 1 August 1939. His appointment as Co 1 Dorset is also in The Times, but he is hard to find elsewhere in that newspaper.
Many thanks for the info guys, I can't seem to find a pic of him anywhere, I might need to contact the museum as suggested. Really appreciate the help, don
