Obituary: Gordon Neville Hawkes (QM 1942-50)

Gordon Neville Hawkes was born to Harold and Hilda Hawkes in Walsall on February 3rd 1932. He won a scholarship to Queen Mary's Grammar School and continued his studies as one of the earliest students at the newly created Keele University.

He went on to teach history and geography, both subjects which remained close to his heart throughout his life. His passion for family history connected him to other genealogists all over the country and further afield, particularly those researching the Neville surname, which was proudly borne as his middle name and which he was delighted to see passed down to his son and first grandson. He also took pride in the family connection to the Reverend George Grenfell, a pioneering Baptist explorer and missionary to what was then known as the Congo. Grenfell epitomised Gordon's values of faith and courage.

Another lifelong passion was transport, particularly aviation, which developed during his time in the ATC and later National Service in the RAF. It wasn't just planes: boats and trains also featured heavily, with Gordon being a supporter of the RNLI and the Severn Valley Railway.

Gordon's main devotion however, was to his wife Jill, whom he met at a Christian summer school and then married in 1963, at Jill's local church in Bristol. After moving to Andover, the family expanded to include a son and daughter, and then they moved again to Bewdley for Gordon and Jill to take on the Post Office in Wribbenhall, where they remained for many years until retirement. During these last years, both faced many health issues but they maintained an active role in the community and continued to visit family and friends in many parts of the country.

Gordon often recounted tales of his time at the school with fondness and his family send best wishes to anyone who remembers him.