Pte
John Robert Hewitt
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1884 |
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Place of birth: North Shields, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Willington Quay, Wallsend, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Cement works labourer |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: S/14770 |
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Enlistment place: North Shields, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Seaforth Highlanders, 8th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 22/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Pommern Castle & Redoubt, Saint-Julien, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 33 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XIII Row: A Grave: 32 |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
John Robert Hewitt was the son of Sarah and William Hewitt. He was born around 1884 in North Shields, Northumberland. Before the war, he worked as a cement works labourer. John enlisted in the British Army and served in the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division).
John was killed in action on 22 August 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele. On that day, the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders were positioned between Beck House and Pommern Castle. Their objective was to advance toward Iberian and Hill 35. After the attack began at 4:45 am, the advance proved difficult. The objectives Iberian and Beck House remained in German hands, and the battalion was driven back. By 7:45 am, the battalion had returned to its original positions, and efforts were focused on consolidation. However, German sniper fire caused many casualties.
Around midday, the German barrage ceased, and at approximately 3:40 pm a counterattack followed. At 6:50 pm, German troops advanced from Zevekote, prompting the Scots to call for a barrage. At 7:30 am, a heavy German bombardment followed from Frezenberg and Pommern Castle. Nearly an hour and a half later, the barrage ended. No further attack followed. The 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders did not achieve their objectives on 22 August. Eventually, new orders were issued to launch a renewed raid the following day.
John was killed at the age of 33. After the war, his body was recovered near Pommern Castle. He was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.
John was killed in action on 22 August 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele. On that day, the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders were positioned between Beck House and Pommern Castle. Their objective was to advance toward Iberian and Hill 35. After the attack began at 4:45 am, the advance proved difficult. The objectives Iberian and Beck House remained in German hands, and the battalion was driven back. By 7:45 am, the battalion had returned to its original positions, and efforts were focused on consolidation. However, German sniper fire caused many casualties.
Around midday, the German barrage ceased, and at approximately 3:40 pm a counterattack followed. At 6:50 pm, German troops advanced from Zevekote, prompting the Scots to call for a barrage. At 7:30 am, a heavy German bombardment followed from Frezenberg and Pommern Castle. Nearly an hour and a half later, the barrage ended. No further attack followed. The 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders did not achieve their objectives on 22 August. Eventually, new orders were issued to launch a renewed raid the following day.
John was killed at the age of 33. After the war, his body was recovered near Pommern Castle. He was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.
Sources 4
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1911 England Census (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). https://nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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44 Infantry Brigade: 8 Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1940/3). https://nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO372). https://nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), p. 63. Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/463154 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=99258013-a5d5-4770-ae0e-fdbced0c316b |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1850907 |