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'Legendary' crime reporter and author dies aged 86

A “legendary” crime writer whose career saw him cover some of the nation’s most notorious murders has died aged 86.

Tributes have been paid to Harry Hawkes, pictured below with his wife Eunice, who spent 43 years as a journalist for both the Birmingham Mail and Birmingham Post.

His most high profile assignments while the Post’s senior crime reporter included the Cannock Chase Murders and hunt for the Black Panther, Donald Neilson.

Neilson shot dead three people during a series of robberies in 1974 before going on to murder transport business heiress Lesley Whittle, who he had kidnapped in 1975.

HarryHawkes

Harry wrote books about both and his 1978 work, Capture of the Black Panther, was awarded the Crime Writers’ Association silver dagger award.

His book about the Cannock Chase murders, Murder on the A34, was hailed as the definitive background piece on the capture of Raymond Leslie Morris – who was convicted of the rape and murder of one schoolgirl and is considered chief suspect in the murder of two others in the 1960s.

Once questioned whether he had made any money from his books, Harry quipped: “No, I have discovered crime does not pay.”

Harry’s last published piece was an article for the Post commissioned following Neilson’s death in 2011.

In an obituary to Harry, the Post described him as its “legendary crime writer”.

Former Mail deputy editor Tony Dickens said: “He was an old-time pro, very thorough. He was a great mentor to those younger reporters.”

Fred Bromwich, who worked with Harry on both the Mail and Post, added: “I remember him very fondly. He was a real pro.

“As far as his crime correspondent job went, he was the ultimate in the Midlands and far beyond.

“His list of contacts could not be bettered. He was a fantastic colleague to work with and a real character.”

Harry also wrote an antiques column for the Post and had a collection of around 100 typewriters.

He passed away on Thursday at a care home in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, after a long illness.

Harry is survived by wife Eunice, three children and three grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are yet to be made.

5 comments

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  • January 21, 2015 at 11:58 am
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    His like never to be seen again in today’s industry. Even the name seemed perfect for a crime writer. RIP

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  • January 21, 2015 at 12:55 pm
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    Harry’s death, as with others of his generation, marks the sunset of a great era in newspapers. I’ve worked with so many like him over the last half century – great pros who were right on top of the job, and who wouldn’t even consider doing anything else.
    Our maxim was: ‘No, it’s not the best-paid job in the world – but it IS the best job in the world.’ We were a charmed brotherhood and we knew it.

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  • January 21, 2015 at 4:14 pm
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    Very sad news When I started work at Caters Newsagency in Birmingham many many many years ago. I remember Harry very well and the juniors all looked up to him. Truly one of the greats!

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  • January 24, 2015 at 12:44 pm
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    Harry was one of the fast declining ‘old school’ pros. He was courteous, jovial and always ready to offer advice and encouragement , especially to junior reporters. Working with him on the Post newsdesk for a number of years was a pleasurable experience.

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  • February 4, 2015 at 10:40 am
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    Sad to hear of Harry’s passing. A great man, a great mentor and a great writer.
    As late duty reporter for The Birmingham Post in the mid-1980s I was a young enthusiastic hack who was pointed in the right direction on numerous occasions by Harry who was night news editor.
    His contacts were legendary as was his Scimitar car which he adored.
    RIP Harry

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