Eynon Hawkins GC

Place/date of birth: Llanharan, Glamorganshire, Wales/June 27, 1920

Rank when awarded GC (and later highest rank): Acting Able Seaman (Leading Seaman)

Date of bravery: January 10, 1943

London Gazette citation:

Acting Able Seaman Eynon Hawkins, D./JX. 214857

Able Seaman Hawkins was serving in a Merchant Vessel which was hit by three torpedoes and immediately began to burn furiously. Many of the crew jumped overboard and Able Seaman Hawkins, with the greatest coolness and courage, organised a party of survivors in the water and kept them away from the fire until picked up by one of H.M. Ships.

Twice he swam to the assistance of other survivors who were in difficulties, himself receiving burns in the face as he pulled them to safety.

[Eynon Hawkins exchanged his Albert Medal for the George Cross, following the Royal Warrant issued in December 1971]

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Bridgend, Glamorganshire, Wales/December 17, 2001

Grave/memorials: Memorial plaque at Llanharan War Memorial, Glamorganshire

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased privately, 2019

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum