Richard Southey HOOKINS (Tree 3Q)

I posted some information about Richard Southey HOOKINS on 15th August concerning his brief service in the Australian Navy Reserve. Another wonderful surprise has happened following that posting and I am greatly indebted to Susan from Sydney Australia who has made a fantastic addition to that posting including a photograph of Richard. The record with the photograph also provides more information to indicate that he was serving on HMAS Australia Leyte Gulf in the Philippines when the ship was hit by a Japanese suicide plane on 22nd October 1943. Six officers and 23 ratings were killed and her Commanding Officer Captain E F V Dechaineaux DSC later died of wounds. Richard was among the wounded and died the following day. He was just 18 years old and he was buried at sea. A tragic end to this young life and we honour his memory and his sacrifice. Thank you so much Susan for locating and providing this information.

John & Sarah HOOKINS (Tree R)

John HOOKINS married Sarah HAYES at Brompton Ralph Parish Church on 1st May 1828. John had been born in Brompton Ralph in 1799/1800 and Sarah at nearby Stogumber in 1802/3. John was a Cordwainer (see previous posting re explanation) and later was classed as a Master Shoemaker. They are known to have had 5 children. Their first two children were born at Burton, Brompton Ralph, the next at Pitsford Hill, Brompton Ralph and the last two were born in Parks Cottage, Brompton Ralph, pictures of which appear above. John and Sarah were buried at Brompton Ralph on the same day in 1860 so their death certificates could give more information about what happened to them. It is very likely that John, and therefore the whole of his Tree, is connected to my own Tree as they were in Brompton Ralph at the same time but I have yet to trace the exact confirmation of his connection to the family of his parents and siblings - unfortunately sometimes suspicion is just not enough!!