Able Seaman Dean Lawson Hawkhurst

Dean Lawson Hawkhurst was born on 12 February 1923 in New Brunswick; his naval records give New Castle as his birthplace, while his RCAF records give Newcastle Creek. By the time of his wartime enlistments, he was living at Valleyfield, Quebec. His service records differ on his schooling: his naval enrolment records Grade 9 at Gault Institute, while a June 1943 naval hospital history says he left school at age 16 in Grade 8. His pre-naval occupation is also described differently: the naval enrolment records him as a mechanic helper for Beauharnois Light, Heat & Power, while the 1943 hospital history says he had worked as a labourer for about ten months before joining the Navy. His 1941 RCAF attestation records that he spoke English and French, played hockey and softball, and had spent five years as a Boy Scout. He served briefly in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 before enrolling in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve at Montreal on 29 June 1942 as V-40759. During the Second World War he served in Canada, on the high seas in the Atlantic zone and in Northwest Europe, including service aboard HMCS Baddeck, and attained the rating of Able Seaman. He was discharged at Montreal on 26 October 1945 on demobilization. Dean Hawkhurst died at Valleyfield on 11 June 1998, aged 75.

1923-02-12 — Born on 12 February 1923; birthplace recorded as New Castle, New Brunswick / Newcastle Creek, New Brunswick in the naval and RCAF records respectively.
1941-05-16 — Enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Montreal, Quebec, as R104810 and Aircraftman 2nd Class (AC2), and was taken on strength at No. 1 Manning Depot. The 16 May posting is associated with Montreal, while his 22 May identity card places No. 1 Manning Depot at Toronto, Ontario.
1941-06-09 to 1941-06-10 — Transferred from No. 1 Manning Depot to No. 1 Service Flying Training School / Camp Borden, Ontario.
1941-08-03 to 1941-08-05 — Transferred from No. 1 Service Flying Training School / Camp Borden, Ontario to No. 4 Wireless School / Guelph, Ontario between 3 and 5 August 1941: posted out on 3 August, with the No. 4 Wireless School taken-on-strength date given as both 4 August and 5 August.
1941-09-01 to 1941-10-06 — Attended Wireless Operator (Air Gunner) Course 25 at No. 4 Wireless School / Guelph, Ontario; after being transferred back one course and receiving additional instruction, he again failed the preliminary examinations, remained below the required minimum standard, and his training was discontinued on 6 October 1941.
1941-09-04 — Promoted/effective as Leading Aircraftman in the Royal Canadian Air Force while in the No. 4 Wireless School / Guelph, Ontario training stream.
1941-10-06 to 1941-10-07 — Transferred from No. 4 Wireless School, Guelph, Ontario, to Composite Training School / Trenton, Ontario after discontinuation of wireless-operator/air-gunner training.
1941-10-22 — After unsuccessful wireless-operator/air-gunner training at No. 4 Wireless School, Guelph, Ontario, and additional instruction, he declined re-mustering to ground duties and requested discharge after being posted to the Composite Training School / Trenton, Ontario.
1941-10-22 — RCAF medical history at Station Trenton / Trenton, Ontario recorded recurrent ear discharge while he was a Wireless Operator (Air Gunner) trainee.
1941-10-27 — RCAF medical assessment and re-examination at Trenton, Ontario, recorded him fit in category A3B; the examining board recommended A3B and no treatment was required.
1941-10-31 — Discharged from the Royal Canadian Air Force as Leading Aircraftman R104810 after 169 days of Canadian service (Trenton, Ontario / Royal Canadian Air Force).
1942-06-29 — Enrolled in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve at Montreal, Quebec, as Ordinary Seaman V-40759.
1942-09-09 — Commenced active service with HMCS Montreal / Montreal, Quebec.
1943-01-20 — Posted to HMCS York.
1943-03-06 — Posted to HMCS St. Hyacinthe / St. Hyacinthe, Quebec; the naval service records differ by one day, giving 5 March and 6 March 1943 for the posting.
1943-05-14 — At HMCS St. Hyacinthe / St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, committed an offence by smoking during working hours in V/S Hut No. 1; awarded three days No. 11 punishment.
1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12 — Treated for an upper-respiratory infection at RCN Hospital St. Hyacinthe / St. Hyacinthe, Quebec and transferred onward for hospital care.
1943-06-12 — At RCN Hospital St. Hyacinthe / St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, symptoms worsened with fever and tonsillar membrane; despite a negative smear, the clinical impression was diphtheria and transfer to Alexandra Hospital was ordered.
1943-06-13 to 1943-07-02 — Admitted to Alexandra Hospital / Montreal, Quebec with diphtheria; discharged cured and returned to unit.
1943-08-02 — At HMCS St. Hyacinthe / St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, was found guilty of gambling in V/S Hut No. 1 by playing 'under and over seven'; awarded fourteen days No. 11 punishment.
1943-08-11 — Posted to HMCS Cornwallis as Ordinary Seaman.
1943-09-19 — Rated/confirmed Able Seaman during RCNVR service while posted to HMCS Cornwallis.
1943-12-11 — Posted to HMCS Stadacona.
1943-12-14 — Posted to HMCS Baddeck for sea service; his qualifying Baddeck service for campaign-star/medal purposes is recorded from 10 December 1943, four days before the posting date.
1944-03-09 — Aboard HMCS Baddeck, negligently carried out his duty as sentry; awarded fourteen days No. 11 punishment.
1944-08-05 — Aboard HMCS Baddeck, was absent over leave by 30 minutes and was punished for the offence.
1945-06-10 — Completed his HMCS Baddeck sea-service posting on 10 June 1945.
1945-06-13 — Posted to HMCS Cornwallis following HMCS Baddeck sea service.
1945-09-19 — Posted to HMCS Donnacona for the final demobilization period.
1945-10-26 — Discharged at Montreal, Quebec, as Able Seaman on demobilization.
1946-06 — His wallet containing his original discharge certificate was stolen in June 1946.
1948-08-18 — Applied from 420 Boulevard du Havre, Valleyfield, Quebec, for a replacement Service Certificate after reporting that the original had been stolen in June 1946.
1998-06-11 — Died at Valleyfield, Quebec, aged 75.