Gordon Hawkins

Gordon joined the 7th Newcastle Life Boys at 7 years old in 1946. At 12 he joined the senior section of the 7th Boys Brigade. In 1957 he became the first boy in Newcastle to be awarded the Queens Badge for over 20 years. He became Captain of the company in 1965. The company met on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sunday mornings for drill, badge work, gymnastics and Bible Class. Despite living some miles away he has always travelled to meetings. The company is in Byker a very deprived part of Newcastle. At times I am sure he has felt like giving up but still runs the sport, weekend camps and badge work. He was the first captain in the Boys Brigade to allow girls into the company. To this day he is still encouraging children and trying to teach them craft, sport and how to be good citizens. During this time he married and raised two children and is now a grandfather. He could not of course have done the Boys Brigade work without a very understanding and helpful wife. He also left his job as a fitter at Parsons and trained to become a teacher, now retired, of maths and P.E. In recent years he has been instrumental in getting the Westmoor Community Centre built and running succesfully. The centre is used by young and old for a multitude of things. Gordon is on the committee and leads a pensioners walking group once a month. If chosen Gordon is very fit and capable of carrying the torch.