Frank James Hawkins, MC (1 April 1885 – 3 September 1960) was an international rugby union forward who played international rugby for Wales and club rugby for Canton RFC and Pontypridd RFC.
Hawkins was born in Wiveliscombe in Somerset, England. He moved to Wales to join the Glamorgan Constabulary. Played for Canton RFC from 1903–05 and joined Pontypridd RFC in September 1905. Hawkins represented his home county of Somerset against South Africa in 1906.[1] In 1911 he was part of the Pontypridd team that won the Glamorgan Cup. Hawkins was club captain for the 1911–12 and 1912–13 seasons.[1]
Hawkins made both his appearances for Wales during the 1912 Five Nations Championship. His début was against Ireland in Belfast where Wales lost 12–5, and his second and final game was against France in Newport which Wales won 14–8.[2]
Military career
Hawkins was a member of the 14th Battalion of the Welsh Regiment during the First World War. On 10 July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, Hawkins shot a German officer manning a machine gun that had fired upon the position his company had taken up. Hawkins suffered eight bullet wounds during the attack. Subsequently, he took part in a bayonet charge and sustained further injuries. He spent a night hidden in a shell crater in no man's land with eight other men from his company. Hawkins lost consciousness, and was taken to a Rouen hospital. He regained consciousness four days later.[3] For his actions during this event, Hawkins was awarded the Military Cross. His citation read: “For conspicuous gallantry in action. He attacked a hostile machine gun and killed the man working it. He showed great bravery until severely wounded.”[4] His decoration was awarded at Buckingham Palace in 1917 by King George V.[3]
Personal life
Hawkins married in 1908. After leaving the Glamorgan Constabulary, Hawkins took over the Tynewydd Hotel, Porth. He later became the landlord of several other establishments.[1]
frank, hawkins, rugby, union, frank, james, hawkins, april, 1885, september, 1960, international, rugby, union, forward, played, international, rugby, wales, club, rugby, canton, pontypridd, frank, hawkinsbirth, namefrank, james, hawkinsdate, birth, 1885, apri. Frank James Hawkins MC 1 April 1885 3 September 1960 was an international rugby union forward who played international rugby for Wales and club rugby for Canton RFC and Pontypridd RFC Frank HawkinsBirth nameFrank James HawkinsDate of birth 1885 04 01 1 April 1885Place of birthWiveliscombe EnglandDate of death3 September 1960 1960 09 03 aged 75 Place of deathTreforest WalesOccupation s Police officer LandlordRugby union careerPosition s FlankerAmateur team s YearsTeamApps Points 1903 19051905 Canton RFCPontypridd RFC National team s YearsTeamApps Points 1912Wales2 0 Contents 1 Rugby career 2 Military career 3 Personal life 4 ReferencesRugby career EditHawkins was born in Wiveliscombe in Somerset England He moved to Wales to join the Glamorgan Constabulary Played for Canton RFC from 1903 05 and joined Pontypridd RFC in September 1905 Hawkins represented his home county of Somerset against South Africa in 1906 1 In 1911 he was part of the Pontypridd team that won the Glamorgan Cup Hawkins was club captain for the 1911 12 and 1912 13 seasons 1 Hawkins made both his appearances for Wales during the 1912 Five Nations Championship His debut was against Ireland in Belfast where Wales lost 12 5 and his second and final game was against France in Newport which Wales won 14 8 2 Military career EditHawkins was a member of the 14th Battalion of the Welsh Regiment during the First World War On 10 July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme Hawkins shot a German officer manning a machine gun that had fired upon the position his company had taken up Hawkins suffered eight bullet wounds during the attack Subsequently he took part in a bayonet charge and sustained further injuries He spent a night hidden in a shell crater in no man s land with eight other men from his company Hawkins lost consciousness and was taken to a Rouen hospital He regained consciousness four days later 3 For his actions during this event Hawkins was awarded the Military Cross His citation read For conspicuous gallantry in action He attacked a hostile machine gun and killed the man working it He showed great bravery until severely wounded 4 His decoration was awarded at Buckingham Palace in 1917 by King George V 3 Personal life EditHawkins married in 1908 After leaving the Glamorgan Constabulary Hawkins took over the Tynewydd Hotel Porth He later became the landlord of several other establishments 1 References Edit a b c Hawkins Frank Pontypridd RFC Player Frank Hawkins ESPN Scrum a b Porth The Rhondda Leader No 899 3 March 1917 p 1 No 29760 The London Gazette Supplement 22 September 1916 p 9275 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Frank Hawkins rugby union amp oldid 1092568376, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
