Wilfred Hawker was born in 1955 in Suriname and pursued a career in the military, eventually rising to the rank of sergeant-major. During a period of political instability in Suriname, he became involved in the military structure that eventually turned against the democratic government.

In February 1980, Hawker was one of the "Group of Sixteen"—a cadre of military personnel led by Sergeant-Major Dési Bouterse—who orchestrated a successful coup against the sitting Surinamese government. This overthrow marked the beginning of Suriname’s military rule and placed Bouterse at the helm of the country’s leadership.

Though initially part of the ruling military coalition, Hawker soon distanced himself ideologically from Bouterse’s increasingly authoritarian regime. When Bouterse dissolved parliament and declared a state of emergency in August 1980, Hawker began to lose faith in the new leadership. He became a vocal critic of the direction Suriname was taking under military rule, favoring a return to democratic principles.

Wilfred Hawker’s break with Dési Bouterse’s military regime turned violent in March 1981. On the 15th of that month, he led a right-wing-inspired coup attempt aimed at toppling the military government. The plot, however, was undermined from within—one of Hawker’s close associates leaked the plan to Surinamese Military Intelligence. As a result, Hawker and his collaborators were targeted in a swift counteroffensive by government forces.

During the operation to capture him, a firefight ensued in which one soldier was killed. Hawker himself was severely injured and was subsequently hospitalized. After recovering from his injuries, he was arrested and imprisoned for his role in the failed uprising. His co-conspirators—three individuals tied to the plot—were also detained.

While incarcerated, Hawker remained defiant. On 11 March 1982, amid another failed coup attempt led by Surendre Rambocus, Hawker managed to escape from prison. He did not remain free for long. The following day, on 12 March, he was injured again and taken to a military hospital. Soldiers loyal to Bouterse apprehended him directly from the hospital, transporting him by stretcher to Fort Zeelandia, the seat of Suriname’s military leadership.

There, on 13 March 1982, Hawker was subjected to a swift military trial and sentenced to death for treason. The trial did not follow the due process standards of a civilian court. Later that day, he was executed by firing squad. The execution was notably broadcast on national television, making it a highly public display of military justice.

Hawker’s death marked a significant moment in Surinamese history—not only as a cautionary tale of political rebellion but also as a reflection of the brutal methods employed by the Bouterse regime to suppress dissent. He was the last individual to be legally executed in Suriname.

Years later, in 2007, a photograph emerged in a Dutch magazine depicting military judge Dhanoesdharie Nankoesing holding a rifle and standing beside Hawker during his final moments at Fort Zeelandia. Although Nankoesing denied involvement in the execution or trial proceedings, the photo prompted widespread scrutiny and ultimately led to his resignation from his judicial post.