John Henry Hawkins

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John Henry Hawkins served during the Second World War as a Navigator with 625 Squadron, and was killed in action on his first operational sortie when Lancaster JA714, piloted by Pilot officer W. P. Cameron, was hit by heavy flak over the Dutch coast and crashed at Waddenzee some 3 kilometres south east of Oosterend on the island of Texel, whilst on a bombing raid to Leipzig, on 20-21 October 1943. This was the first operational loss for the newly formed squadron. All the crew were killed.

The attack on Leipzig was the first serious attack on this far-flung city. Weather conditions were described as appalling, and some 16 Lancasters and their crews were lost on this raid.

Ground reports on the loss of Hawkins’ Lancaster state that the aircraft exploded in a tremendous fireball parts of which glided down slowly. The aircraft fell and then seemed to regain control at which point it rose up and exploded (possibly its incendiary bomb load blew up). The aircraft came down on the mudflats on Wadden Sea and continued to burn for time. Aircraft returning from the raid reported still seeing it burning. Only one body was recovered, that of Albert Snook, whose body washed ashore on the Terchelling Islands.

Hawkins is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. His medals were sent to his mother, Mrs. Sarah A. Hawkins.

Sergeant (Navigator) J. H. Hawkins, 625 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action when his Lancaster was hit by flak and crashed in the Waddenzee off Oosterend, whilst on a bombing raid to Leipzig, on 20-21 October 1943

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, 

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