Max Hawkins ( 1480) of Glovertown
died as a direct result of the conflict. I remember my father relating
this story many years ago, but I had forgotten the details.
Here's what happened as recalled by Mervin Pond (0174)
of Frederickton, NDB, now of Glovertown, who was present at the
time.
.
Max Hawkins
( Picture from Max's nephew John Hawkins, provided by Ron Pond )
.
On July 17, 1940, Max and three other
Foresters
were travelling from Grantown to Carrbridge in a taxi driven by Johnny
Ferguson of Carrbridge. Max was sitting in the middle of the back seat
with a Forester on each side, with the other Forester in the front
passenger
seat.
At 22:10 hrs, Mervin Pond was returning to
camp by bicycle and was challenged by three British soldiers who
stepped
from the woods. After he established his identity, he was allowed to
pass.
Approximately ten minutes later at 22:20
hrs, Johnny Ferguson's taxi arrived at the same spot. This was during
blackout
conditions, when just very dim lights were allowed on vehicles, just
enough
to see the vehicle approaching, but not enough for the driver to see
anything.
The Foresters and taxi driver said they were singing and didn't see the
soldiers or hear them shout "halt!". One of the soldiers shot at the
rear
of the taxi, hitting Max in the back of the head. This happened during
the period when an invasion of Britain was expected.
Max Hawkins is buried in Carrbridge, and
has a headstone that was placed by the Foresters. The people of
Carrbridge
maintain the gravesite.
Bert Taylor (1425)
of Millertown recalls that Max Gill (1158),
also of Millertown, was one of the men in the
taxi
with Max Hawkins that night.
.
Max Hawkins' records with the Commonwealth Graves Commisssion
on
the Veterans Affairs website can be found here.
