James Hawes was an undertaker who owned several funeral businesses around London in at least 4 locations in Higham’s Park, Well Street in Hackney, Seven Kings in Ilford and one in Romford.

Mr Hawes had witnessed the miner’s unemployment march to London in 1927, during which two miners died during. He was horrified at their condition and poor health, mentioning that most of them didn't even have proper shoes. Following witnessing this, he made a donation to the miners. It is also possible that he was involved in arranging the transport of these men that died on the march to Paddington station.