William Henry Hewitt

William Henry Hewitt
Born 19 June 1884
Copdock, Suffolk, England
Died 7 December 1966 (aged 82)
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Buried at Cheltenham Cemetery and Crematorium, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Allegiance  United Kingdom
 Union of South Africa
Service/branch South African Forces
Rank Major
Unit 2nd South African Light Infantry
Battles/wars

World War I

Awards Victoria Cross

William Henry Hewitt VC (19 June 1884 – 7 December 1966) was a South African soldier, and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for gallantry in the face of the enemy given to British and Commonwealth forces, during the First World War.

Details

He was 33 years old, and a lance-corporal in the 2nd South African Light Infantry, South African Forces during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 20 September 1917 east of Ypres, Belgium, Lance-Corporal Hewitt attacked a pill-box with his section and tried to rush the doorway. The garrison, however, proved very stubborn and in the attempt the lance-corporal received a severe wound. Nevertheless, he proceeded to the loophole of the pill-box where, in his attempts to put a bomb in it, he was again wounded in the arm. Undeterred, he finally managed to get the bomb inside where it dislodged the occupants and they were successfully dealt with by the rest of the section.[1]

Further information

He later achieved the rank of major.

The medal

Hewitt's medal is on permanent loan to the Imperial War Museum from Framlingham College, Suffolk, England. It was given to the school by his wife after his death.[2]

References

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30400. p. 12329. 23 November 1917. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "VC's Loaned to IWM". Retrieved January 14, 2013.
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