Beckham County, OK - Obits: George Gail Hawker, 1918 14 Mar 2008 Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ HAWKER, GEORGE GAIL (10 Oct 1918, Thursday, Elk City News Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): CORP. GEO. G. HAWKER Co. H, 357 Inf. Born January 21, 1890 Died, September 19, 1918. Sunday morning Henry Hawker of Vici, Okla., called the Senior Editor of the News-Democrat by telephone and told us he had just received a telegram stating that his son, George Hawker had died in France of pneumonia September 25th. It was found later that his death occurred the 19th. The news of his death spread quickly and coming as it did on the day that the churches were closed because of the terrible disease that is sweeping through the land, and also the day of the burial of our young soldier, Robert Kenner, caused a pall of sadness over our city that it has not experienced in many years. George was known so well here, having been one of the assistants in the post office so long. Here he met our people daily in his happy cheerful manner and he made friends of all. He was an employee in our post office at the time he enlisted. He went to Camp Travis, at which place he assisted very much in the postal service. It has only been a short time since his father wrote that he was somewhere in France. George's ambition had been to get to the battle front. A short time ago we were talking to a young soldier, who was in training and who was so anxious to go across. We said we thought it would be a great trip and experience if one could come back safe again, and he answered: "We could not die in a better cause." This seems to be the mind of all and it is a comforting thought to know that our noble young men, are so ready to meet death in upholding righteousness. George Gail Hawker was born in Harrison County, West Virginia, January 21st, 1890. When fifteen years of age, he with his parents and younger brother, was converted and joined the M. P. Church. On February 2nd, 1909, the family moved to Elk City, where George had since lived - with the exception of about eighteen months he spent in Colorado. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hawker, and his sister Lucile, are now living in Vici, Okla. We will never forget George's devotion to his sister when she came here to visit him and how proud he was to introduce her to his friends. His brother, Corporal John Hawker, is at Camp Dix, N. J., and would have been across had not the influenza been in the camp. We wish we could speak some word of comfort to the bereaved ones, but we know that words seem cold, for we cannot express in language what is in the heart, but we pray that the Comforter may be very near them. We know from experience that "Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal." Everywhere the death of George Hawker will be received with deepest sorrow. His comrades in the many camps in this country will be grieved on receipt of the news and he will be sadly missed by our people. ***** Late Letter From George. In a letter written to Miss Ida Echols, of this city, from Somewhere in France, August 26th, George wrote: "Half of my platoon have gone to dinner while the other half are left on guard so am going to write to you. It's "keep your head down pretty boy" now, and wear our gas masks around our necks day and night. Have had several gas alarms but no serious gas attack yet. "We live in the woods and trenches no more barracks for us. We are hardly as far from the German trenches as from your house to Ballard's swimming pool. Some noise at times. They shot a branch about six inches in diameter from a tree just over my bunk last night. We are all eager to go over the top, but perhaps will not have a chance for three or four weeks at least. "I understand Robt. Levi and the boys are only a short distance, something like a mile from us but have no chance to visit now. All the things we used to read of in the papers are coming too near us now. Will take several evenings to tell you all that happens when I return. "Have not heard from you since I last wrote you but expect some mail up here soon. Give my regards to J. G. Queenan and tell him we are getting our feet wet now. Will be more than one year since I have seen you when you receive this. Almost school days again. Regards to everyone." On the back of the envelope he had written: "Hello, P.O. bunch. - Geo." ---------------------------------------------------------- Return to Beckham County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.htm