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. Edward was born on the 15th February 1895 in Goadby Marwood, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 27th October 1895 in the parish church Scalford, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Charles a brickyard labourer, born 18th October 1887, Mary, born in the 1st quarter of 1890 and Ellen, born on the 13th July 1897, all his siblings were born in Goadby Marwood, in March 1901 the family home was at On Crany Ke Farm, Goadby Marwood. In April 1911 Edward was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Scalford, together with his father, a railway platelayer, his mother and siblings, William, an ironstone worker, born in the 4th quarter of 1884 in Medbourne, Leicestershire, and Ellen, also residing with the family was his paternal niece, Constance Mary Hewitt, born 1905 in Hackney, Middlesex. Edward also had the following older siblings, Hannah, born in the 3rd quarter of 1880 and John born in the 1st quarter of 1882, both were born in Nevill Holt, Leicestershire. Edward’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, William died from wounds received in action in 1915 and Frederick was killed in action in 1917.
Edward attested into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 13th March 1916 in Hagersville, Ontario. He gave his date and place of birth as the 15th February 1895 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England, he gave his trade or calling as farmer, and confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Asa Hewitt of Scalford, Melton Mowbray, England, as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 11 inches in height, weighed 185 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 36 and 39 inches. His complexion was described as ruddy, he had hazel eyes and light brown hair, his physical development was described as good and his apparent age was given as 21 years. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 11th March 1916 in Hagersville. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the 114th Over Seas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force as a Private, service number 739685 on the 13/3/16. Embarked Halifax aboard S.S. Caronia on the 31/10/16. Disembarked Liverpool, England on the 11/11/16. Transferred to the 35th Battalion Canadian Infantry at West Sandling on the 11/11/16. Admitted to Westcliffe Hospital suffering from defective vision, he was discharged as fit for overseas service with glasses. Glasses have been ordered. Condition was present previous to enlistment and recommend patient for full duty on the 13/12/16. Transferred to the 52nd Battalion Canadian Infantry on the 28/12/16. Landed in France and taken on the strength of the 52nd Battalion Canadian Infantry on the 29/12/16. Left to join the 3rd Entrenching Battalion on the 25/1/17. Joined for duty with the 3rd Entrenching Battalion on the 29/1/17. Transferred to the 52nd Battalion Canadian Infantry on the 19/2/17. Admitted to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station suffering from a gunshot wound to the right thigh on the 26/10/17. Transferred to the 2nd Australian General Hospital, Wimereaux on the 27/10/17. Transferred to England aboard S.S. St. Andrew on the 3/11/17. Admitted to Brook War Hospital, Woolwich, S.E. 18 on the 3/11/17. Posted to Main Regimental Depot, Shorncliffe on the 3/11/17. Taken on the strength of the 52nd Battalion Canadian Infantry, Dibgate on the 3/11/17. Discharged from Brook War Hospital, Woolwich S.E. 18 on the 22/11/17. Admitted to Military Convalescent Hospital, Widcote Park, Epsom on the 23/11/17. Discharged from convalescence and taken on the strength of the 78th Reserve Battalion, Dibgate on the 12/12/17. Awarded Good Conduct Badge on the 13/3/18. Drafted to the 52nd Battalion Canadian Infantry on the 7/4/18. Landed in France and taken on the strength of the 52nd Battalion Canadian Infantry on the 12/4/17. Arrived for duty on the 27/4/18. Killed in action on the 27/8/18. The circumstances of Edwards death are recorded as follows:- During an attack on Bois du Vert, North of Arras-Cambrai Road, he was shot through the heart and instantly killed whilst endeavouring to get clear of wire entanglements. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
On Friday December 28th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – SCALFORD. - ON LEAVE. – We have been pleased to see Private W. Allen, and Corporal J. Gee home on leave from the front. Flight Lieutenant Mogridge and Private E. Hewitt and H. Glover have also been on leave from home stations.
The War Diary records: 27 Aug-18 – IN THE LINE. Showers. Shortly after midnight of the 26th, the Battalion moved forward and took up their positions in the jumping off place. So short was the time allotted to get there, that the Companies were barely in their places when the barrage opened promptly at 4.55am. “A,” “C” and “D” Companies immediately went forward to attack, “B” Company was in reserve. Shortly after 7.00am a message was received from “C” Company that the BOIS-DE-VERT was taken. A message was also received about this time from “A” Company stating that their right flank was in danger, and “B” Company at once moved up to form a defensive flank. At 10.00am the 2nd Canadian Division attacked on the right, coming up level with us thus securing our right flank. At the same time the 43rd Canadian Battalion passed through our ranks and attacked in front of us. The remainder of the day was spent in consolidating the position and reorganising Companies. During the day 3 Other Ranks admitted to hospital sick.
APPENDIX 9 – NARRATIVE OF EVENTS, AUGUST 26th to 29th, (BOTH INCLUSIVE)
On the evening of the 25th August, the scheme for the forthcoming attack by the 3rd Canadian Division was explained to the Company Commanders by Lieutenant Colonel Sutherland who was to be in command of the Battalion for the ensuing operation.
Orders were received from Brigade Headquarters, that the Battalion would be at half hour’s notice after 3.00am of the 26th. This was the hour at which the 8th Brigade launched the attack for the Division. The Battalion had been completed with supplies and was ready to move.
An Officer had been sent to Brigade Headquarters, and about 9.00 o’clock a message came from him that the Battalion was to move at 10.15 to a position in the Support Area, east of Arras.
The Battalion proceeded along the Arras Road, sending advance parties ahead. The Adjutant, who had ridden ahead, met the Brigadier in Arras, and was informed that the orders had been changed and that the Battalion would billet in Arras.
Accordingly, the Battalion proceeded to billets at the Arras Museum, arriving there about 12.30pm. Headquarters was established at Billet No.21, Rue des Murs St. Vaast.
While in Arras, information was received that the 8th Brigade had made a good line east of Monchy, that the 7th Brigade were ordered to capture the Bois de Vert, and that the 9th Brigade would probably attack the following morning, and would in the meantime, move forward to the neighbourhood of the old front line.
About 25 minutes to 6.00, a definite order to move was received, and at half past 6.00, the Battalion fell in and marched to the area about H.26 Central (Sheet 51B.)
The area occupied included a number of trenches in which the Battalion took shelter.
On the way up to the area, the Commanding Officer had been summoned to a meeting at Brigade Headquarters. About 11.00 o’clock he arrived at Battalion Headquarters and immediately sent for the Company Commanders to explain the action required for the Battalion.
We were to march forward at once, get into position in the neighbourhood of the line running through 0.8.a and c, and from there attack the Bois de Vert, a wood situated on a commanding hill, the attack to commence at 4.55am.
“A” Company was to go to the left of the Bois de Vert, “C” Company to envelop it from the right, “D” Company keeping in touch between “C” Company and the road, “B” Company in reserve.
By the time the scheme was explained to the Company Commanders and they got back to their Companies, very little time was left, and all Companies had to hasten forward down the Arras-Cambrai Road, with all possible speed.
Battalion Headquarters was established in an old German dugout in Morocco Trench at N.12.d.90.85. The Companies had barely time to get into position, one Company indeed, was just reaching its position when the Barrage opened.
Ten minutes before Zero Hour a message was received from the Tank Commander that he had been informed that the operation was postponed to 10.00am and awaited orders. It was impossible to get the message through to him before Zero, but the circumstance was reported at once to Brigade.
The Tank Commander had promised our Signal Officer, to whom he had handed his message, that if it was a mistake, and our attack did commence at 4.55, he would go forward in any case.
The barrage opened at 4.55, and three Companies went forward.
The Tank Commander learning that our attack was proceeding, put his promise into effect, though unfortunately, some time had elapsed before the tanks could get up from the rear, and at 6.15am, four tanks passed Battalion Headquarters, going forward.
Shortly after 7.00 o’clock messages were received from both “A” and “C” Companies, stating that the right flank was in danger. This was due to the fact that the 2nd Division on our right had not attacked at the same time as ourselves, their attack having been postponed until 10.00 o’clock. The message from “C” Company, however, stated that the objectives had been reached, that is the Bois de Vert had been taken.
The support Company was at once moved up to the right flank to form a defensive flank, and the capture of the Bois de Vert reported to Brigade Headquarters.
Reports received from “D” Company showed that they had suffered rather heavily, having lost their Company Commander and many others, the Second in Command remaining in charge of about 35 men; many of the other men had, of course, gone forward with other Companies.
At 10.00 o’clock the 2nd Canadian Division attacked on the right of the Cambrai Road. The 43rd Canadian Battalion, having passed through us, attacked in front of us on the left of the road.
Owing to the configuration of the ground, the attack of the 2nd Division, which was up the slope of a hill, could be witnessed from our position, in its entirety. They went forward in splendid style, and apparently with complete success. At any rate the barrage laid down for their attack and that of the 43rd Battalion, and the success of the attack, completely relieved the situation which had developed on our right, though unfortunately, the barrage had been rather close to our line at its commencement and we suffered several casualties there from.
The remainder of the day was spent in consolidating our position, and attempting some reorganisation of Companies, which had become somewhat mixed one with the other during the attack and also in getting up supplies.
Meanwhile, about 10.00 o’clock, as a counter attack of the enemy was threatening, on our left flank, and the right flank appeared no longer in trouble, “B” Company was moved from the right flank over to the support of the left flank, arriving about midday.
During the German thrust against our flank before the attack at 10.00am commenced, they, unfortunately, took prisoners a few men of ours, in an advanced position.
Some of these men were used by the Germans to carry stretchers to their dressing stations in the rear, and made several trips. While going forward again on another trip, the 43rd Battalion took and released them, and they were able to fall in and march off as prisoners some of their recent captors.
Instructions were received during the evening that the proposed relief would not take place, but that further operations would be carried out the following day.
About 1.00am 28th August, instructions were received for the attack on Artillery Hill and Boiry together with the trench system in front. The 52nd Battalion was to attack on the right with the 116th on the left.
The Battalion had previously been ordered to close in on the left, thus narrowing our frontage.
Early in the morning, detailed instructions for the attack were received, the order now being that the 52nd attack on the left and the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles who were attached to our Brigade on the right. This Battalion was to pass through the enemy trench system, swing to the left, take Boiry and then Artillery Hill, the attack to be closely supported by the 58th Battalion.
Zero Hour was to be 11.00 o’clock.
Colonel Sutherland, as the time was short, decided to visit each Company Commander personally, and explain what was required.
After the Commanding Officer had left Headquarters, messages received from Companies, indicated that the losses of the previous day had been heavier than at first anticipated. Many of these men subsequently were found, having become lost and attached to other units. There were, however, available for attack, only about 220 men. The men were in extremely exhausted condition. They had been rather tired before the commencement of the first attack the day before, having made three moves, and having had very little sleep. Subsequent to the first attack which was in itself a very trying experience, they had been shelled very heavily all day, and secured very little or no rest, so that physically they were in very poor shape besides being very weak in numbers.
At 11.00 o’clock the Companies moved forward to attack in the following order: “B” Company was to press forward first, swing to the left to the east of Boiry, “C” Company was to follow and swing to the left and enter the centre of the town, the remnants of “A” and “D” which were consolidated into one Company, were to follow the other two and swing to the left through the western side of the town.
These orders, subsequently, had to be altered and Companies were directed to press forward, south of the village, leaving it on the left flank. This, however, had the desired effect of outflanking the Germans and clearing the town. Captain J. D. Young, M.C., whose Company was now on the left flank, of the Battalion, satisfied himself that the town was entirely cleared of the enemy and so reported.
The 58th Battalion, following close on our heels, attacked Artillery Hill.
The operation was thus successfully completed. Our four Companies now numbered 100 all told, although many men were subsequently found attached to other units.
A position was taken up in Lady Lane to the south west of Boiry. The artillery were given a barrage line and Battalion consolidated position.
Towards evening orders were received that the Battalion would be relieved by the 4th Imperial Division, and as night fell, these troops began to move up. The relief for our Brigade however did not come until after midnight. It was finally completed about 3.00 o’clock. The Battalion then proceeded to the area previously occupied in H.26 Central.
On Friday September 20th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “SCALFORD.” – SCALFORD SOLDIERS KILLED. – News has been received this week of the death of two Scalford boys at the front. On Monday morning Mr. Asa Hewitt, of the Old Brickyard, had notice that his son Pte. E. Hewitt, of the Canadians, had been killed in action on August 27th. Just before the war Pte. Hewitt emigrated to Canada, and on the outbreak of war joined the Canadian forces. This makes the third son Mr. Hewitt has lost in the war. He also had one son killed in the South African War. On Tuesday morning Mrs. W. Parker received a letter from a chaplain informing her that her son, Pte. F. Parker, of the Leicester Regt., was killed in action on Sept. 2nd. Pte. Parker, who is only 21 years of age, joined up in November 1915. He was a bright cheery lad, and was much respected by all who knew him.