Richard Southey HOOKINS (Tree 3Q)

Richard Southey HOOKINS was born in Elsternwick, Victoria, Australia just after Christmas in 1925. He was the only son in a family of 4 children to Spencer Southey HOOKINS and his wife Alma Vera (nee TURNER). Richard's grandfather Sidney Southey HOOKINS was born in Exeter but went out to Australia in 1867 and 13 years later married Fanny BLACKBURN. Richard was an Insurance Clerk but joined the Royal Australian Naval Reserve in 1943 as an Ordinary Seaman serving on a few ships. He was described as being 5ft 7 inches tall with brown hair and hazel eyes on the attached Naval record. Unfortunately he was badly burned and died as a result of the wounds received on 21st October 1944. His mother's details are included on his record and another page indicates that she was awarded a pension of £2.10s per fortnight from the following month.