Three: Captain S. J. Hawthorn, North Staffordshire Regiment and Royal Air Force, a Balloon Officer who served with the 10th Balloon Company, No. 5 Section on the Western Front, and whose balloon was shot down by the German ‘Ace’ Unteroffizier Hans Nülle of 39 Jasta - leading to Hawthorn parachuting down from the flaming balloon, and suffering a head wound in the process

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. S. J. Hawthorn. N. Staff. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. S. J. Hawthorn. R.F.C.) last two officially renamed, very fine (3) £140-£180

Stephen John Hawthorn was born in Hanley, Stoke on Trent in January 1891. He was employed as a Pottery Manager at Pearl Pottery Co. Ltd, Hanley, where his father was a partner in the business. Hawthorn enlisted in the 5th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, 12 September 1914. He was appointed Acting Lance-Corporal in October 1914 and was then discharged on 25 February 1915, to take a commission having served 168 days at home. Hawthorn was gazetted Second Lieutenant in the 2/5th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, 27 February 1915.

Hawthorn served attached to the 10th Battalion K.R.R.C. in France from August 1915. He was seconded into the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing) as a Balloon Officer on 1 October 1917 (Army List for January 1918 lists him as being with Royal Flying Corps Military Wing, Balloons, from 1 June 1916 to 1 October 1917). Hawthorn served as an Observer with 10th Balloon Company, No. 5 Section, and was appointed Acting Balloon Commander in June 1918. He was wounded in action, 15 September 1918. His casualty card gives him as suffering an injury to the head on the latter date:

‘Whilst in Balloon observing was attacked by enemy aeroplane - balloon set fire - he jumped out in parachute & landed in trench.’

The above action was the result of a balloon raid carried out by Jasta 39. Hawthorn’s balloon was one of four shot down that day by Unteroffizier Hans Nülle, who shot down 7 balloons and 2 aircraft during the course of the war. Hawthorn was invalided with Concussion to the 4th Southern General Hospital, England, 23 September 1918.

Hawthorn relinquished his commission in the R.A.F., and advanced to Captain with the North Staffordshire Regiment (T.F.) in 1920. He resigned his commission two years later, and in later life resided in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Hawthorn died at the National Hospital, Queens Square, London in October 1955. 
Sold with comprehensive research including copied record of service for both Army and R.F.C./R.A.F., censuses, birth, marriage, death, divorce, civilian employment history, etc., also saved to CD.