Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Hewson a farmer, born 1842 in Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire and his wife Selina Allan Hewson (nee Hocking, married on the 15th March 1868 in the Parish Church, East Hyde, Bedford), born 1846 in Herefordshire. Joseph was born in the 4th quarter of 1893 in Holwell, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Frances, born 1886, Thomas William, born 1889, Henry, born 1892, Florence Mary, born 1896 and David, born 1899, all his siblings were born in Holwell, in March 1901 the family home was at Holwell. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a farm worker and was residing in the family home at Holwell Lodge, Holwell, together with his father, a farmer, his mother and siblings, Thomas, a stone quarry worker, Henry, a stone quarry worker, Florence, a dairy worker, David, a schoolboy and Arthur, a schoolboy, born 1902 in Holwell. Joseph was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
On Friday May 4th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “HOLWELL” – KILLED AT THE FRONT.- It is our very sad duty this week to record the death of another Holwell lad, Private Joseph Hewson, who has been killed at the front in the present fierce battle that is in progress. The sad news was received by Mrs T. Hewson, his mother, on Tuesday morning last, and very much sympathy is felt for her, and his brothers and sisters in their terribly sad bereavement. The deceased was well known and highly respected throughout the district. He was a well known runner, and took several prizes in contests throughout the district. He was of a bright and cheerful disposition, and his death at such an early age, is greatly regretted by all who knew him. His friends have the consolation that he died doing his duty nobly to his King and country.
On Friday May 11th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – FALLEN KETTLEBY AND HOLWELL HEROES.- IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL SERVICE- PTE. G. H. GALE- PTE. JOSEPH HEWSON- One of the most impressive Memorial Services ever held at Ab Kettleby took place in the Parish Church on Sunday evening, it being held in memory of the late Bro. Private George Henry Gale and Private Joseph Hewson, whose sad deaths at the front we recorded in our last issue. The former was a member of Court Ab Kettleby Reliance of the Ancient Order of Foresters, and the service on his behalf took the form of a Foresters’ memorial service. To pay their last tribute of respect to their late fellow member a large number of members of Court Ab Kettleby Reliance assembled at the Parish Room, the Court Meeting Room. A procession was formed headed by the Vicar, Bro. The Rev. E. P. Doudney, M.A., and Bro. T. Bates, Court Trustees. On passing the house of the deceased’s parents the procession was joined by Mr and Mrs G. Gale (father and mother), Misses Hilda and Mable Gale, Mr W. C. Gale, and Master E. Gale. (sisters and brothers), Miss Lily Morris (the deceased’s fiancée), and other relations. On arriving at the Church they were joined by Mrs Hewson (mother), Nurse H. Hewson, Mrs Kirk, Mrs Stapleford, Mr W. Hewson, Mr and Mrs H. Hewson, Mr D. Hewson (brothers and sisters), Mrs Hunt (Aunt), and other relations. The whole party were conducted to seats specially reserved for them and the organist, Sister E. Taylor who presided at the organ, played “O Rest in the Lord.” The Church was crowded in every part, taxing the energies of the churchwarden and sides-man to find seating accommodation for the extremely large congregation. The Ab Kettleby Prize Band, under the able conductorship of Bandmaster S. Clait, was in attendance, and accompanied the congregation in the hymns, the effect being exceedingly appropriate. The Foresters’ touching funeral service was impressively gone through by the Vicar, as was the special Memorial Service for those who have fallen in the war. The text was taken from St. Matthew v. 4. “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” The Vicar said they were there that evening as Foresters to give practical illustration of their watchword, which was “Sympathy.” He spoke touching words of consolation and comfort to both families in their sad bereavement in a beautiful sermon which was full of feeling, and after the first pangs of pain are over his words will be long cherished by all who were privileged to hear them. At the conclusion of the service, the band played the “Dead March.” in “Saul,” and “The Last Post” was sounded.
On Friday May 11th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – PTE. JOSEPH HEWSON.- In our last issue we recorded with regret the death at the front of Pte. Joseph Hewson of Holwell, and his mother Mrs Hewson has since received the following letter – “The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of His Majesty and The Queen in your sorrow. Signed Derby. Secretary of State for War.” Mrs Hewson has also received a number of other official letters expressing sympathy. It will be remembered that Private Hewson only joined H.M. Forces on December 1st last and was at home on final leave, before going to the front some 10 weeks ago. He received his education at the Council Schools, Ab Kettleby, and was only 23 years of age. He managed the farm for his mother before joining the forces, and his loss will be a severe blow to his mother and the rest of the family. Naturally Miss M. Hill, to whom he was engaged, is quite overcome with grief. He was a bright manly young fellow, and his death is deeply deplored by a large circle of friends to whom he had greatly endeared himself.
On Friday May 11th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – DEATHS.- HEWSON.- On the 18th April 1917, died of wounds in France. Pte. Joseph Hewson, the dearly beloved son of Mrs Thomas Hewson, of Landyke Lane Farm, Holwell, aged 23 years.
On Friday May 11th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “IN MEMORIAM” – HEWSON – In loving memory of Pte. Joseph Hewson, who was killed at the front April 16th, 1917, aged 23 years. No mother’s care did him attend. No sister to shed a tear. No brother’s last words to hear. Only comrades his last farewell to hear. When the sorrows of life are all ended. And death says the school is dismissed. May we all meet together in heaven. Not one of our number be missed. From Mrs Osborne and family, Holwell.
On Friday May 11th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THANKS” Mrs Hewson and family and Miss Hill wish to express their heartfelt thanks to their numerous friends for the many loving tokens of sympathy they have received in their bereavement.
On Friday April 19th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. – HEWSON. - In loving memory of my dear son, Pte. J. Hewson (Sherwood Foresters), of Holwell Lodge, who was killed in action April 16th, 1917, aged 22 years.
For many a year the family chain
Was closely linked together
But, oh, that chain is broken now
One link has gone for ever
We cannot Lord Thy purpose see
But all is well that’s done by Thee
From his sorrowing mother, brothers, and sisters.