1

A Royal Crown Exercise Book. One of Clara Mortimer Hawker's diaries.
29 October 2002
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2

Clara Mortimer Hawker kept almost daily accounts of everyday events. She wrote about life for the family during the time that her sons, Walter and Mortimer, were serving in the Newfoundland Regiment. In a fourth notebook she wrote of a trip that she took to Boston in 1939 with her daughter Beatrice. She may not have kept any diaries or journals after Mortimer had died. None were found.
Clara kept her family name, Mortimer, and included it with her husband's family name. In numerous correspondences she signed as Clara Mortimer Hawker.

3

Keeping a record of each day's events.
1 January 1916
Carbonear, Newfoundland, Canada
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4

On New Year's Day, 1916, Clara started to keep a diary to record each day's happenings for her son Walter to read when he returned from the Great War.

5

A chronology of events in Walter's life, written by his mother, Clara.
December, 1915
Carbonear, Newfoundland, Canada
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6

A Chronology of events up to December 21, 1915, for Walter Charles Hawker. Born June 11, 1896. Completed school 1912 then went to work at Bank of Nova Scotia. Volunteered first December 1914, but was turned down. Volunteered again in 1915 and joined the Newfoundland Regiment on September 17th, 1915, age 19. Left home for St. John's, October 12th, 1915. Left St. John's for England, October 27th,1915 at 7:30 A.M. Arrived at Port-Aux-Basques October 28th, 1915 and arrived at Plymouth, England in November. Sent family two post cards and two letters November 28th, 1915. Received first allotment pay December 7th.

7

Clara becomes involved with the recruitment effort.
February, 1917
Carbonear, Newfoundland, Canada
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8

Clara wrote on this page of her diary about becoming involved with the Women's Patriotic Association. Over the next two years she would make a significant contribution by sewing shirts and knitting socks for the soldiers overseas.

9

Word of Mortimer having joined the Newfoundland Regiment.
25 March 1916
Carbonear, Newfoundland, Canada
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10

Entry for March 26th, 1916: "Had a letter from Mortimer saying that he had volunteered and asked us not to stop him. Oh my, oh my whatever will I do. God help me to bear this..."

11

News from the boys.
1 September 1916
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
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12

Entry for September 1st, 1916: "letters from Walter and Mortimer dated Aug.15th and 16th. Walter promoted to Sergeant and expects to go to France. Oh my, oh my, what lies before you?"

13

Leaving for France
7 September 1916
Carbonear, Newfoundland, Canada
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14

Entry for September 7th, 1916: "Letter arrived from dear, dear Walter dated Aug.22nd & telling us he was leaving for France next night Aug. 23rd. oh my precious child will I ever see you again?"