[1] Under the influence of Francis Hawkins and his close ally E. G. Mandeville Roe, the BF, which, despite its name, had been fairly conservative in nature, moved towards a more genuinely fascist position by emphasising the corporate state and anti-Semitism.
[2] Without Lintorn-Orman's approval, he held a series of talks with Robert Forgan in which he agreed in principle the idea of merging the BF into the New Party.
[5] Francis Hawkins was appointed National Defence Force Adjutant upon joining the party, making him deputy head of the group's paramilitary Blackshirts under the command of Eric Hamilton Piercy.
[10] A firm believer in militarism, Francis Hawkins led the military faction within the BUF that successfully resisted the attempts of the likes of John Beckett, Bill Risdon and F.M.
Box, who had been deputy leader and Francis Hawkins's main rival, left the movement because of the growing influence of the militarists on Mosley.
A. K. Chesterton, one of the BUF's younger propagandists, had also resigned and cited Francis Hawkins' increasing role in policy development as a major reason.
[24] Immediately after the outbreak of war he met with the leaders of other groups such as the Nordic League, the Right Club, The Link and the British Peoples Party in a failed attempt to organise a united front under Mosley.
[30] Involved in the foundation of the Union Movement in an organisational capacity, Francis Hawkins did not take a leading role because of his failing health.