Main CPGW Record
Surname: HEWITT
Forename(s): Willie
Place of Birth: Cowling, Yorkshire
Service No: 6/4389
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 1/6th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: 1916-09-18
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: VI. W. 8.
CWGC Cemetery: LONSDALE CEMETERY, AUTHUILLE
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: COWLING, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Willie Hewitt (born 19 November 1892) was the son of Jonas and Mary Hewitt, née Stubbs. Jonas was born at Cowling and Mary at Menston, Yorkshire.
1901 Cowling, Yorkshire Census: Keighley Road - Willie Hewitt, aged 8 years, born Cowling, son of Jonas and Mary Hewitt.
1911 Cowling, Yorkshire Census: 189, Keighley Road - Willie Hewitt, aged 18 years, born Cowling, son of Jonas and Mary Hewitt.
The British Army Service Record for Willie Hewitt exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Willie Hewitt, 6/4389, W. Rid. R. K. in A. 18.9.16. Oi/c Recs. York, requests inst[ruction]s. to dispose of medals 19.2.21.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Willie Hewitt, 6/4389, 1/6 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 18.9.16.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Willie Hewitt, 4389, 1/6th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 18.9.16 France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother - Mary. £11 4s. 2d.
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
HEWITT, Willie, West Riding Regiment, 187 Keighley Road, [Cowling], killed in action, 1916.
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Private Willie HEWITT
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille
CWGC Headstone
Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille
CWGC Headstone - personal inscription
Cowling United Methodist Church ‘Bar Chapel’ graveyard
Family gravestone
Cowling United Methodist Church ‘Bar Chapel’ graveyard
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
29 September 1916
HEWITT – Killed in action in France during September, 1916, Pte. Willie Hewitt, West Riding Regiment, of Cowling, aged 23 years.
29 September 1916
COWLING – ANOTHER COWLING HERO
Another Cowling young man has been called upon to make the supreme sacrifice. On Saturday morning Mrs. Hewitt of 189, Keighley Road, Cowling, received letter below from an officer in her son’s regiment.
France, September, 18th ’16.
Dear Mrs. Hewitt,– I deeply regret to inform you that your son Willie has been killed in action. His death will be felt by all the officers of his company and his comrades, as he was highly respected. He was always devoted to his duty and did everything in a cheerful manner. I hope it will be some consolation to you to know that your son died without pain. Allow me to offer my deepest sympathy,– Yours most sincerely, James A. Walter.
Pte. Willie Hewitt, of the West Riding Regiment, was 23 years of age. Before enlisting in May 1915, he was employed as a warp dresser by Mr. A. Cowgill, Royd Mill, and went to France in February last.
06 October 1916
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Pte. W. Hewitt, of the West Riding Regiment, aged 23 years, son of Mrs. Hewitt, 189, Keighley Road, Cowling, who, as reported last week, was killed in action in France, September, 1916. He was formerly a warpdresser at Royd Mill, Cowling, and went to France in February, 1916.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
29 September 1916
A COWLING SOLDIER KILLED
Mrs. Hewitt, 187, Keighley Road, Cowling, received intimation of the death of her son, Pte. Willie Hewitt, killed in action whilst fighting with his regiment in France. The letter which was received from one of his company officers read as follows:– “Dear Mrs. Hewitt, – I deeply regret to inform you that your son, Willie, has been killed in action. His death will be felt by all the company officers and his comrades, as he was highly respected. He was always devoted to his duty, and did everything in a cheerful manner. I know it will be some consolation to you to know that your son died without pain. Allow me to offer you my deepest sympathy. – Yours sincerely, James A. Walter.”
Pte. Hewitt was a noted and popular footballer, playing with several teams in the village. He was a successful centre forward of the team which won the Keighley and District League trophy some years ago. He enlisted in May 1915, in the West Riding Regiment, and has been in France since February last. He was previously employed as a warp dresser by Mr. Albert Cowgill, Royd Mills, Cowling,
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