Rushden Research Group: Fred Hawkes

Fred Hawkes

Fred was born at Kettering, on 6^th December 1878, and trained as an engineer, and had much experience with shoe machinery there.

He married Alice Ruth Blount, born 30^th October 1877 at Great Easton, in 1902. They lived at Kettering before moving to Irthlingborough where a son, Wilfred Victor was born in 1903.

A second son, Gordon Leslie was born in 1908 at Rushden, but sadly died Nov 6th 1914 at just 6½ years of age. A daughter Hilda Alice Ruth Hawkes was born 28^th April 1917.

In 1909 Fred joined with Mr. Ernest Pack who had good experience with Crossley Bros., Hornsby, Stockport and Dorman gas engines.

They founded the Central Machinery Company at Irthlingborough, before moving to Rushden. Fred’s younger brother Ernest Hawkes, also an engineer, was now living at Irthlingborough, and he too moved to Rushden, bringing his family including a son Sidney.

The Northampton Guardian, 27^th December 1911 - Partership Dissolved.

The London Gazette the following dissolution of partnership:- Fred Hawkes, John G. Lee, and Ernest Pack was dissolved and was reported in The London Gazette. [presumably John Lee left]

In 1914 Fred Hawkes resigned, and throughout the war the company mainly worked on maintenance of the machinery used in production of army boots.

In 1915, with Walter Tarry, Samuel Horace Wright and Sidney Fox, Fred now founded the Tecnic Shoe Co. and was their first chairman. Mr Wright resigned in 1916 and Mr Fox was killed in action in 1917. Fred resigned from Tecnic in 1919, leaving Walter Tarry in sole charge.

Fred suffered a long spell of ill health, and took a step back from business for about 10 years. He enjoyed walking and bowls, and attended most of the Rushden Town F.C.'s matches, being one of the original shareholders in Rushden Sports, Ltd.

Fred regularly attended St. Mary's Church and was a member of Rushden Rotary Club.

'Eastonwood' Newton Road - now 120 formerly No.114
'Elmham' - built in 1898 by Charles L Bradfield

In 1920 he moved his family to Newton Road, and renamed the house 'Eastonwood'.

Fred opened a new business in Portland-road for the supply of boot tips and grindery. The company was expanding between 1927 and 1934, and made several additions to the premises in Portland Road. Fred had taken his nephew Sidney into the business and in 1928 Sidney passed secretarial examinations. He was made the works manager, alongside his uncle Fred, eventually becoming a director in 1938.

Fine new premises were built in Portland Road, next to their old works, and alongside the new machines, they traded in refurbished machines branded as “Nu Value”.

A new company name, Fred Hawkes (NV Engineers) Ltd was registered in April 1936, and the company continued to prosper during the Second World War and made tips and heels for army boots.

Wilfred went on to become a schoolmaster and later took a teaching post at Wellingborough School. After his father's death, he took a more active role in the company, but continued to teach.

Hilda married Mr J. Maxwell Jones, of Bridport. (she died on 1^st January 1969 in Lesotho, South Africa)

When Fred died suddenly in 1943, cousins Wilfred and Sidney continued the business and expanded into refrigeration as Fred Hawkes (Refrigeration) Ltd. in 1946, bringing Wilfred's brother-in-law, Philip Robinson, into the business.

Fred's widow Alice died on 3rd January 1954 aged 76, and was buried on the 14th, alongside Fred and their son Gordon, in Rushden Cemetery:

Memorial Inscriptions
Rushden Cemetery Graves B 782/3

In loving memory of Fred HAWKES who died suddenly 14th December 1943 aged 65 years.
Also his beloved wife Alice Ruth who joined him in eternal rest 3rd January 1954. Reunited.

In loving memory of Gordon Leslie the dearly loved son of Fred & A. R. HAWKES who passed away Nov 6th 1914 aged 6 years 7 months. Earth hath one dear one less, heaven one angel more.

In memory of Wilfred Victor HAWKES 20 Oct 1903 - 28 Dec 1989 and his wife Florence Winifred HAWKES 8 May 1904 - 4 Nov 1990.

The Hawkes Company