The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. S N Hawke

Stanley Nelson Hawke, of Stockwell, London was born on 21st October 1915, the son of Johnson Henry and Florence Sarah Hawke.

He joined 604 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force as an Aircrafthand.

He married Joan Margaret Georgette Conibear, listed in the 1939 Census as a shorthand typist, at about this time.

Hawke was called up on 24th August 1939. Retraining as an Air Gunner he arrived at Northolt in early July 1940 and served with 604 Squadron throughout the Battle.

Still serving with the squadron on 4th May 1941, Hawke and P/O PF Jackson were airborne in a Beaufighter and intercepted Ju88 6142 B3+AP of 6/KG54, sending it down to a crash-landing at East Burton, Dorset. The four crew were captured.

On 29th May 1941 Hawke, again with P/O Jackson and also a pilot who was new to the squadron, Sgt. PH Boulton, carried out an air-sea firing exercise at Chesil Beach. Whilst they were there the clouds came in from the sea blanketing the Dorset hills. Instead of climbing above them Jackson flew through and crashed on high ground. All three men were killed.

Hawke was 25. He is buried in Streatham Park Cemetery, Mitcham, Surrey.