Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick Howkins, born in the October quarter of 1874 in Burbage, Leicestershire (son of John Howkins, 1841-1912 and Julia Thorpe, 1844-1914) and his wife Jane Elizabeth Howkins (nee Abbotts (Abbott), married on the 28th October 1894 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley), born in the October quarter of 1869 in Kingswinford, Staffordshire (daughter of Henry Abbotts, 1845 and Elizabeth Waterfield, 1846). Henry Walter, was born in the July quarter of 1897 in Hinckley, Leicestershire and baptised on the 2nd April 1898 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley.
In March 1901 Henry was residing in the family home at 17, Mill View, Hinckley, together with his father, a hosiery trade trimmer and his brother Frederick, born on the 26th April 1895 in Hinckley and baptised on the 2nd April 1898 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley, also residing with the family was a paternal uncle, Albert Howkins, a hosiery trade trimmer, born in the October quarter of 1870 in Burbage.
In April 1911 Henry was employed as a hosiery warehouse boy and was residing in the family home at 19, John Street, Hinckley, together with his father, a hosiery trade trimmer, his mother and brother Frederick, a hosiery warehouse worker.
Henry enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 16th February 1916 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 30020. He gave his age as 18 years 186 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosiery counterman. He gave his present address as 19, John Street, Hinckley.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 18 years 186 days, height 5-feet 6 inches and chest measurement of between 31¾ and 33¾ inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded].
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Jane Elizabeth Howkins, 19, John Street, Hinckley.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Attested. 16/2/16.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. 16/2/16.
Mobilized. 12/5/16.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 12/5/16.
Transferred. To 2/6th (Territorial Force) Bn. South Staffordshire Regt. Pte. 18/5/16.
Allotted Regimental Service number 5857.
Discharged in consequence of being a recruit with more than three months service, considered medically unfit for further military service. Para 392 (iii) (c.c.) King’s Regulations, 13/10/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 12/5/16 – 13/10/16.
Total Service. 154 days
Proceedings on Discharge.
(When forwarded for confirmation the documents named on page 4 should be enclosed.)
No. 5857. Army Rank: Private.
Name: Henry Walter Howkins.
(The name must agree strictly with that on enlistment, unless changed subsequently by authority.)
Corps: 6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regt.
Battalion, Battery, Company, Depot, &c: “C” Company.
(If attached to the Regular Establishment of the Special Reserve or Permanent Staff of the Territorial Force, &c., or to General Staff of the Army, it should be so stated.)
Date of discharge: 13/10/16.
Place of discharge: Dublin.
[1] Description at time of discharge.
Age: 18 years 340 months days.
Height: 5-feet 6 inches.
Chest measurement:
girth when fully expanded 33¾ ins.
range of expansion 2 ins.
Complexion: Fresh.
Eyes: Brown.
Hair: Black.
Descriptive marks. None.
Trade: Hosiery Counterman.
Intended place of residence: 19, John Street, Hinckley.
(To be given as fully as practicable)
(The measurements and description should be carefully taken on the day the man leaves his unit, but in the case of men sent home from abroad for discharge, the age and intended place of residence should be left blank to be filled in by the Officer who confirms the discharge at home.)
[2] The above-named man is discharged in consequence of: being a recruit with more than three months service, considered medically unfit for further military service. Para 392 (iii) (c.c.) King’s Regulations.
(The cause of discharge must be worded as prescribed in the King’s Regulations and to be identical with that on the discharge certificate. If discharged by superior authority, the No. and date of the letter to be quoted.)
[3] Military character: Very good.
[4] Character awarded in accordance with King’s Regulations: Very good, no entry on conduct sheet.
To be filled in on the soldier quitting the Colours.
(Certified that the above is an accurate copy of the character given by me on Army Form B.2067* and that Army Form D.489 was awarded in this case.
GFR
Initials of Commanding Officer
Henry died, aged 19 years in the April quarter of 1917 in Hinckley.
On Friday May 4th, 1917, The Leicester Mail published the following article on page 4, under the heading. – HINCKLEY AND DISTRICT CASUALTIES. – Following a lingering illness the death has taken place at 18, John Street, Hinckley, of Henry Watts Howkins (19), who formerly served in the South Staffordshire Regiment.
On Friday May 4th, 1917, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 4, under the heading. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The death has taken place at 19, John-street, Hinckley, of Henry Watts Howkins, formerly of the Staffs. Regiment. Deceased who was in his 20th year, served in Ireland, but was discharged in October last owing to ill health. He was formerly a popular employee of Messrs. Mason and Blakesley, hosiery manufacturers.
On the 20th September 1917 Henry’s mother, Mrs. J. E. Howkins of 19, John Street, Hinckley, Leicester was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of six shillings and six pence, commensurate on the 21st April 1917. This was later transferred to his father Mr. Frederick Howkins.
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