South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | British War & Victory Medals | Hooge Crater Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| After 1st September 1916 in France | ~ | Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial |
| Stratford Holy Trinity Church | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | Stratford Cemetery Memorial |
| Local actions near Gheluvelt, Ypres | July 1916 in Wincester | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Gheluvelt | Royal Engineers | ~ |
Circumstances of Death
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Thomas is listed as being killed in action, by shellfire, on 3rd December 1917. The 2nd Battalion war diary entries for the period 1st to 4th December are transcribed below along with a newpaper report of his death. War Diary 2nd to 4th Dec 1917Gheluvelt – 1.12.1917: Our artillery shelled Gheluvelt at 6.30am and 7pm. Very little reply was made. Enemy artillery shelled A track about 7.30pm and caught our ration party killing several horses and wounding 4 other ranks, also 1 man missing believed killed. Gheluvelt – 2.12.1917: Our artillery shelled Gheluvelt & Polderhoek and vicinity. Enemy retaliated on our back areas. A quiet night. Gheluvelt – 3.12.1917: Our artillery very active at 5am. The 2nd New Zealand Infantry Brigade attacked Polderhoek Chateau. Zero 12 noon. Enemy retaliated on our Support and Back areas, B Coy suffered 7 casualties. Gheluvelt – 4.12.1917: Enemy artillery still active. During the afternoon A Coy in right front position sustained 10 casualties, 5 killed and 5 wounded from hostile T.M. fire. In the evening the Battalion relieved by the 18th K.R.R and marched to Manor Farm Halt, Zillbeke, where after being served with hot soup & entrained by light railway for Reninghelst, marching thence to Chippawa Camp. B Coy received 1 casualty in coming out. Details rejoined Battalion. Stratford Herald ObituaryStratford Herald, Friday 28th December 1917 News has been received by Mrs. Hewins of Jessie Villa, Gordon Avenue, Highcliffe Park, Winchester of the death in France on 3rd inst. of her husband Lance Corporal Harold Hewins, 35, an organ builder and old Stratfordian. His commanding officer writes of him as one of my most reliable Lance Corporals and says Hewins will be remembered by a large circle of Stratford friends. The elder son of Mr. Thomas Hewins now of Kings Heath Birmingham, formerly a member of the well known local firm of organ builders he was educated at the Commercial School under Mr. Priest and was for some time a member of the Stratford Boat Club. He was also a volunteer. He joined the colours in 1916 and enlisted, entering the Royal Engineers from which he was transferred to the 6th Wilts. After serving 6 months in Belgium he was transferred to 2nd Wilts with which Battalion he was serving when he met his death. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jul Qtr 1882 in Stratford on Avon | 23 Aug 1882 in Stratford on Avon |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Thomas and Mary Ann Hewins | 53 Alma Street, Taunton (mother) |
| Wife and Marriage Details | Children |
| Emily Hewins nee Simons | Norah Ethel b 21 Feb 1914 |
| Jan Qtr 1913 in Aston District | Maurice Harold b 10 Sep 1915 |
| Schools | Colleges |
| Commercial School, Stratford on Avon | ~ |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1882 - 35 Ely Street, Stratford on Avon | 1891 - Scholar |
| 1891 - 19 Ely Street, Stratford on Avon | 1901 - Organ Builder (wood) |
| 1901 - 5, Ely Street, Stratford on Avon | 1911 - Organ Builder |
| 1911 - 53 Alma Street, Taunton | 1915 - Church Organ Builder |
| 1915 - Jessie Villa, Gordon Avenue, Wincester |