I regret to have to inform you of the very sad and unexpected passing of our greatly respected Chairman: Commander  Robert Henry Hawkins MBE, RN on the morning of 8^th October 2023.

Further information will be shared when it becomes available.

Ian Barden

Vice Chairman and Interim Chairman , TCA

 

The funeral of Commander Bob Hawkins will be held at Helensburgh Parish Church at 12.30  on Friday 27 October.

All TCA members are welcome to attend and show their respects.

Following aprivate, family-only commital at the Crematorium, there will be Reception at Rosslea Hall Hotel.

If you can attend to represent TCA, please confirm to Interim Chairman Ian Barden at

Bob's Funeral Service will be video-streamed so those unable to attend may participate from home.

The link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qad2FnPH4s

In parallel, a Memorial Service will be held at St Barbara's Church at HMS EXCELLENT. More details to follow.

TCA President Rear Admiral John Lippiett and Interim Chairman Ian Barden plan to attend this service.

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TCA President Rear Admiral John Lippiett CB CBE DL has written the following letter of Condolence to Mrs Trudy Hawkins and their family

                                                                                                                                                                                  10^thOctober 2023

 

Dear Trudy,

I write with heavy heart, as President of the Ton Class Association, to send you and your family the very deepest condolences of all members of this association on hearing of the tragic and untimely death of Bob. Jenny and I are currently at sea in the Atlantic heading for Madeira, hence this letter coming via email, but I am in close touch with the committee and can measure the huge distress amongst our shipmates.

In the relatively short time that we have known Bob, he has been a tower of strength and a genuine inspiration to our association, providing a beacon of ambition and a firm, fair hand in bringing our band of brothers closer together. That he stepped up to become Chairman when Nobby so sadly passed, was typical of his generous, positive attitude. That he was a serving senior officer with heavy duties made his service to us even more impressive. His enthusiasm was infectious and his ability to encourage younger members to join reinvigorated us all. In his relatively short term as our Chairman, Bob made a very great impact and we will be ever grateful to him and will seek to continue his sense of direction.

But we are now all thinking of you and your family at this exceptionally distressing time. I know Bob was hard-pressed by his triple-hatted naval duties, a tough call for anybody, which must have caused him stress despite his relaxed, cheerful outlook. He achieved so very much in his career and was much loved by all those who knew him. But the family will have to work through the awful grief before taking any comfort in recognising his extraordinary achievements in his long and illustrious career.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

John

Bob’s wife Trudy Helen Hawkins, myself Son Cameron and the whole family would like to ask that in lieu of flowers and such for my father Robert Henry Hawkins' funeral please consider making a donation to Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, whose mission is "To raise funds, working with others, to provide the support needed to our serving and former members of the Naval Service and their families."

There is a link below to where you can directly donate in my father's memory. Please share the link with any people, groups, or associations you may think of.

https://cdrroberthawkinsmbern.muchloved.com/

 

Commander Bob Hawkins – A Tribute

by Nigel Edsell – World Ship Society

A lovely man, with a warm and friendly personality having immense pride and enthusiasm for the Royal Navy for whom he was the best possible ambassador.

I can only imagine what a great loss he must be to his family, friends and colleagues.

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