C. H. Hawdon First World War Military Binoculars, Gt Grimsby

A pair of First World War British military Galilean field binoculars, bearing the inscriptions ‘C. H. Hawdon’ and ‘Gt Grimsby’ around the eyepieces.

The binoculars have brass bodies with a black gloss finish, dark green textured leather covering to the grips and a central focusing mechanism. They are accompanied by their original fitted leather carrying case, which bears the British Broad Arrow mark, indicating government ownership.

C. H. Hawdon was Charles Henry Hawdon (1853–1907), a Grimsby watchmaker and jeweller who also traded as a watch and instrument maker from 248 Cleethorpe Road. His business was recorded at this address between 1880 and 1906.

Charles married Rose Ellen Sleight (1861–1922) at Clee on 29 July 1885. Rose Ellen, sometimes known as Ellen, was the sister of Sir George Frederick Sleight, Baronet. Following Charles's death in 1907, Rose Ellen remained in Grimsby with their family.

The 1921 Census records Rose Ellen living at 246 Cleethorpe Road with two of her sons, Sidney Sleight Hawdon, a theatre manager, and Henry Alexander Hawdon, a jeweller. The following year's trade directory lists Hawdon & Son, watchmakers and jewellers, at the same address. This suggests that Rose Ellen may have continued her late husband's business before Henry joined her. The business does not appear in the 1930 directory.

These binoculars provide an interesting connection with Grimsby's commercial and family history, bearing the name of a local watchmaker and instrument maker whose family continued its association with the jewellery trade.

Grimsby & Cleethorpes Museum Collection.