AFTER TEN YEARS

 

An Echo of the Great War

 

Private Charles Dawkins' Remains Found

 

Once again the fact that "Truth is stranger than fiction" has been proved by the curious incident that dates back some ten years ago - an echo of the Great War.

In 1916 Private Charles Dawkins, No 15145 of the 14th Batt. Royal Hampshire Regiment, the third son of the late Mr. Arthur Dawkins, of Tower Street, Emsworth, joined the first Portsmouth Battalion and left England to fight for his King and Country.  On the 3rd September, 1916, almost a year after, he was reported among the missing; and in July of the following year, it was naturally presumed that he had made "The Great Sacrifice" and laid down his life so that a nation might continue.  It was not until January of this year, 1927, that all doubts were set aside; this was made possible by the discovery of his regimental number on a waterproof sheet wrapped round the remains found just N.E. of Hamel.

Today all that is mortal of this brave solider lies at rest in the Serre Road Cemetery No. 1 Hebuteine.  His age when killed was 24.

We can only say of him, like so many of his comrades, that "He did his best".  R.I.P.

 

In the world's courts, we are compelled to judge on circumstantial evidence only, and the chief witness, the man's soul, cannot very well be called.

 

 

 Hants & Sussex County Press for 12th February, 1927