Private Francis Hawken was a member of the 2/6 Battalion, Service No. VX15820, POW No. 3497.
From the AWM website: In early April, the 2/6th, with the rest of the 6th Division, deployed to Greece to resist the anticipated German invasion. For the 2/6th, the Greek campaign was essentially one long withdrawal through a series of rearguard positions, beginning on 16 April. In the last days of the campaign its companies were dispersed by higher command; some were subsequently evacuated by sea between 26 and 29 April, but approximately a quarter of the battalion was left behind and taken prisoner. Some of the evacuees were landed on Crete and, after fighting with the 17th Brigade Composite Battalion, many of these men were also captured.
Francis was born at Leitchville, Victoria on 21 Nov 1916. Pre and post-war he farmed near Leitchville. He died at Cohuna, Victoria on 16 May 2001 aged 84.
His name appears on the 10029/GW Roll Call of Ian Brown's Stalag 18A website.
No comments:
Post a Comment