George Henry Dawkins was born on 23 October 1883, one of the seven children of George Henry Dawkins (1847-1921) and Susannah Dawkins née Linger (1852-1927). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1883 in the Marylebone Registration District, Middlesex (now Greater London). He was baptised on 9 December 1883 in the parish of St Marylebone. The baptismal register confirms his date of birth and shows his family were living at 44 North Street, Marylebone. His father was recorded as a greengrocer's salesman. (North Street has subsequently been renamed as Frampton Street).
In the 1891 census he is shown as a scholar, residing at 10 South Street, Marylebone, with his parents and four siblings: Maud Marion Dawkins (1876-1953); Ellen Dawkins (1878-1946); Louise Catherine Dawkins (1887-1965) and Ada Dawkins (b.1890). His father was described as a 'porter'. (South Street has subsequently been renamed as Blandford Street).
The 1901 census shows him as a 'postman acting', still living in three rooms at 10 South Street, Marylebone, with his parents, four siblings: Maud Marion Dawkins a dressmaker; Edith Annie Dawkins (b.1879) also a dressmaker; Louise Catherine Dawkins and Ada Dawkins, together with a cousin Lavina Newboy. His father was described as a 'house porter'. In November 1901 he was appointed as a postman in west London.
On 9 October 1909 he married Edith Lilian Gomm (1884-1949) at West Hyde, Hertfordshire and in the 1911 census he describes himself as a 'G.P.O. Postman' living in three rooms at 66 Churchill Road, Willesden Green, Middlesex (now Greater London), with his wife. Their daughter, Emily Maude Dawkins (1913-1986), was born on 17 August 1913 and her birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1913 in the Willesden Registration District.
He enlisted as a Private in The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment), service number G/22770, and was serving in their 2nd Battalion when he was killed in action, aged 33 years, on 23 October 1916. As he has no known grave he is commemorated on Pier and Face 12D and 13B of the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, 8 Rue de l'Ancre, 80300 Thiepval, France. Unfortunately, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has recorded his name incorrectly on both the memorial (as Dawkings G. H.) and on their website (as Private George Henry Dawkings). The A Street Near You website also lists him incorrectly as Private George Henry Dawkings
On 26 June 1917 his army effects totalling £1-17s-2d were sent to his widow who also received his £3-0s-0d war gratuity on 21 October 1919. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He is shown as 'DAWKINS. G.H.' on the Western Postal District war memorial at Mount Pleasant, London, WC1. He is also commemorated on Page 96 the 1914-1920 remembrance book of the Post Office Fellowship of Remembrance and on the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
