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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 348

A 1919 O.B.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. Hawkins, Royal Air Force, late Royal Engineers attached General Staff, inventor of the permanent line marking of roads

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st Type breast Badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London; 1914-15 Star (Capt. J. F. Hawkins. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. J. F. Hawkins. R.A.F.); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, mounted as worn, very fine (6)

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1919.

John Frederick Hawkins was born in 1870. An engineer by trade, he first saw active service in Gallipoli with the Royal Engineers, attached to the General Staff, from 14 August 1915. His obituary, published in The Chronicle on 27 October 1961 gives a good account:

'One of the pioneers of the modern highways, Lt-Col John Frederick Hawkins died at his home, Calcot Hangers, Tilehurst, Reading. Hawkins set up and unrivalled record during his working career. For 42 years he was the Berkshire County Surveyor, and when retired in 1946 was 11 years past retiring age.

During this time he was one of the first surveyors to use tar on roads and one of the first, if not the first, to use white lines on main roads.

An indication of the respect he earned from everyone in the county was heard at the Berkshire County Council meeting on Saturday. The Chairman, Sir George Mowbray commented:

"He was allowed to continue in office for more than his normal time, which, I think, shows the feeling of confidence the council had in him. He was a great character and a very nice man."

Two bridges on the River Thames remain as a visible sign of his work. They are the Albert Bridge between Windsor and Datchet and the Goring and Streatley Bridge for both of which he was responsible.

Hawkins first came to Berkshire from Cheshire. During the First World War he had a distinguished record of service when he served on the Staff of the Chief Engineer during the Gallipoli campaign, and also in France. He was wounded shortly before the evacuation from Gallipoli. His was record earned him the O.B.E. and he was also twice mentioned in desptaches.

Amongst the organisations he had been connected with are the Berkshire Cricket Club, the county branch of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England and the Tilehurst Ratepayers' Association and the Reading Show Committee. He had been a widower for the past 21 years. The funeral service was held yesterday at the Theale Parish Church.'

Sold with a newspaper cutting and copied research.

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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£220