Funeral of Cdr Robert Henry Hawkins MBE RN

1 Nov 2023 - The funeral of MCDOA Committee member Bob Hawkins was held in Helensburgh Parish Church on Friday 27 October (see News items for 9 Oct 2023 and 12 Oct 2023). This was the full Order of Service:

A video stream of the service is still available here:

MCDOs, MWOs and fellow travellers in attendance included Roger Baileff, Alan Bayliss, Ross Balfour, Stephen Brown, John Burden (and his wife Anne née Lucas with whom I worked at the Maritime Warfare Centre), Tim Curd, Kevin Giles, Paul Guiver, Alistair Halliday, Daniel Herridge, Rob Hoole, Paul Jones, Bill Kerr, Keith Mabbott, Stu McAlear, Rennie Miller, Simon Neil, Sean O'Reilly, Jason Poole, John Staveley, Adrian Visram, Peter Waddington and Richard 'Soapy' Watson.

Others included Lee Bamber, David 'Jimmy' Bond, Paul Campbell, Dave Cowling, George Coyle, Aggie Dennis, Thomas ‘Tam’ Dewar, Chris 'Paddy' Doonan, Steve Downey, Ian ‘Herman’ Gearing, Glyn Holgate, Jerry Kyd, Sinclair Livingstone, Ted Mangion, Jess Mckeever, Dave Parrish, Scott Price, Kevin ‘Ginge’ Reynolds, Dave Southwell, Garth Spence, Pawl Stockley and Chris Terrill.

After the service, mourners repaired to the nearby Rosslea Hotel for a reception during which Bob’s wife Trudy was presented with a white ensign, his medals and his old Wandsworth school tie by his last boss, Brigadier Andy Muddleman ADC RM (Naval Regional Commander for Scotland & Northern Ireland). Notably, his Long Service & Good Conduct medal is embellished with the three clasps signifying at least 45 years of unblemished service in uniform.

Later in the day, a few of us raised a private glass in Bob's memory at the nearby Rhu Inn.

Several others, including Ian ‘Snowie’ Barden, Lee ‘Barney Two Ts’ Barnett, Sam ‘Nobby’ Clark, Peter Cooling, Mark Durkin, Roger Filewod, Geoff Goodwin, Richard Hill, David Hilton, Martyn Holloway, David Hunkin, John Lippiett, Rosemary Lunn, Martin Mackey, Paul Metcalf, Trevor Orton, Bill Pollington, David Sandiford, Dave Smith, Nick Stanley and Stephen Window, attended the parallel service organised by the MCDOA in St Barbara's at HMS EXCELLENT.

In accordance with the wishes of Bob’s family, the MCDOA has donated £100 to the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity in his memory in lieu of a floral tribute. Arrangements are also being made to have Bob’s ashes scattered from a warship in accordance with his final request.

I am sure all members of our close-knit community join me in extending our heartfelt condolences to Trudy and the family for their dreadful loss.