Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Asa (aka Asher) Hewitt, a railway labourer, born 1850 in Great Billing, Northamptonshire and his wife Elizabeth Hewitt (nee Wymer, married in the 2nd quarter of 1880 in the Brixworth, Northamptonshire district), born 1851 in Wicklewood, Kimberley, Norfolk. William was born in the 4th quarter of 1884 in Medbourne, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Hannah, born in the 3rd quarter of 1880 and John, born in the 1st quarter of 1882, Frederick, born 14th March 1883, the latter three siblings were born in Nevill Holt, Leicestershire, Charles, born 18th October 1887 and Mary, born in the 1st quarter of 1890, the latter two siblings were born in Goadby Marwood, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Holwell, Leicestershire. In March 1901 William was absent from the family home at On Crany Ke Farm, Goadby Marwood, residing there was his father a railway labourer, his mother and siblings, Charles a brickyard labourer, Mary, Edward, born 15th February 1895 and baptised on the 27th October 1895 in the parish church Scalford, Leicestershire and Ellen, born 13th July 1897, the latter two siblings were born in Goadby Marwood. In April 1911 William was employed as an ironstone worker and was residing in the family home at Scalford, together with his father, a railway platelayer, his mother and siblings, Edward, a farm labourer and Ellen, also residing in the family home was his paternal niece, Constance Mary Hewitt, born 1905 in Hackney, Middlesex. William first entered the theatre of war in France on the 4th October 1914, serving as a Gunner with the 111th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, at the time of his death on the 25th May 1915 he had been transferred and was serving with the 22nd Trench Mortar Battery of No.2 Depot. He was admitted to hospital on the 24th May 1915 suffering from a head wound, but was also recorded as being gassed, he died the following day from his wounds. He was awarded the 1914 Star, British War and Victory medals. William’s brother John died on the 1st May 1902 at Griquatown from wounds received on the 19th December 1900 at Hekpoort, South Africa during the Boer War while he was serving as a Private, No. 5215 with the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, and is buried in Steenput, South Africa, Frederick was killed in action in November 1917 and Edward was killed in action in August 1918, the latter two brothers were both serving with Canadian Infantry Battalions.
The War Diary records: 24 May-15 – Gas used at day break by enemy causing ROYAL IRISH to retire and there was nothing for it, but for gun detachments 1 N.C.O. and 11 men to do the same. The guns were not brought out of action owing to men all being affected by the gas, all probably fell into the hands of the Germans together with 18 rounds of light bombs. Corporal SCOTT returned to trenches alone in an attempt to save some part of gun stores which might be of use to the enemy, but was unable to face the gas. There is only his statement to this effect, had there been a witness I should have recommended him for his action. Seven of the detachment were accounted for and admitted to hospital. There is no trace of the remaining five.
On Friday June 18th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – SCALFORD SOLDIER’S DEATH. – The parents of Pte. W. Hewitt, R.F.A., were informed on Saturday that he had been killed in France by gas poison. Private Hewitt was a reservist, when war was declared, he, with his brother, another reservist, were in Canada. They have both been at the front some time. Deceased was invalided home some weeks ago with rheumatism, but on recovery he returned to the front. Much sympathy is expressed for his bereaved relatives.