Notes
The Oxford History website (See References) offers this extra information courtesy of St Sepulchres.org.uk: 'William John Howkins (1879–1915). William volunteered in August 1914 to serve in the 1st/4th Battalion of the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Service No. 2409). He served in England until March 1915, and then in France. He was killed in France at the age of 36 on 31 December 1915, and was buried in the Hebuterne Military Cemetery.
He is described as a Lance-Corporal on his mother’s grave and on the war memorial in Ss Philip & James’s Church, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records him as a Private.
His photograph appeared in the “Heroes of the War” section of the Oxford Journal Illustrated on 26 January 1916 (right), where again he is described as a Lance-Corporal.
The inscription below was added to the grave of William’ mother: he is also remembered on the St Paul’s Church war memorial, now moved to St Barnabas Church (left) and on that in St Philip & James’s Church. He is also named on the Oxford University Press war memorial.'