Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Hewitt, born 1859 in Coventry, Warwickshire (son of Edwin Hewitt, 1839-1915 and Harriet Edwards, 1835) and his wife Florence Hewitt (nee Winterbottom, married on the 17th July 1880 in St. Saviour’s Church, Leicester), born on the 30th December 1859 in Alfreton, Derbyshire and baptised on the 12th January 1860 in St. Martin’s Church, Alfreton (daughter of James Winterbottom, 1828 and Martha Winterbottom, 1833). Herbert Burnham was born on the 1st November 1890 in Leicester, his siblings were, William, a schoolboy, born in the July quarter of 1882, George James, a schoolboy, born in the October quarter of 1885 and Florence Emma, born in the April quarter1888, all his siblings were born in Leicester in April 1891 the family were residing at 97, Charnwood Street, Leicester, this being the family home of Herbert’s maternal grandfather James Winterbottom, a shoe maker, born 1828 in Annesley, Nottinghamshire. In March 1901 Herbert was residing in the family home at 134, Sherard Road, Leicester, together with his father, an elastic trade weaver, his mother and siblings, George, a machine maker, Florence, Winifred Annie, born in the October quarter of 1893, Elizabeth Harriet (Lizzie), born on the 1st June 1895 and Ellen Grace, born on the 25th December 1898, the latter three siblings were all born in Leicester. In April 1911 Herbert was absent from the family home at 11, Ash Street, Leicester, residing there was his mother and siblings, George, a fitter, Winifred, a shoe trade worker, Lizzie, a shoe trade worker, Nellie, a schoolgirl and Alice Dora, a schoolgirl, born on the 18th July 1901 in Leicester, meanwhile, Herbert was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed in Fort Saint George, Madras, India. Herbert also had an older sibling, Albert Edwin, born in the April quarter of 1881 in Leicester. Herbert’s two brothers also fell, George on the 27th October 1914 and Albert on the 13th October 1915.
Herbert attested into the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Special Reservists) to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 1st April 1908 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as St. Saviours, Leicester, his age as 17 years and 5 moths and his trade or calling as labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father William Hewitt, mother Florence Hewitt, older brothers, George and Albert Hewitt, sisters, Nellie, Winnie and Emma Hewitt all of 23, St. Saviours Road, Leicester and older brother William Hewitt of Belgrave, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5-foot 2½ inches in height, weighed 105 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 30 and 33 inches. His hair colour was brown and he had brown eyes. It was noted he had tattooed dots on his left forearm. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army reserve on the 1st April 1908 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Special Reservists) as a Private, service number 9931 on the 1/4/08. Commenced training on the 2/4/08 – 2/9/08. Attained the age of 18 years on the 1/11/08. Discharged from the Special Reservists on the 28/4/10. Total service 2 years and 28 days. Enlisted into the Regular Army on the 28/4/10.
Herbert attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve on the 29th April 1910 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Evington, Leicester, his age as 19 years and 6 months and his trade or calling as shoe hand. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He stated that he was currently serving as a Special Reservist with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He gave his father William Hewitt, his mother Florence Hewitt, older brothers, George and William Hewitt and sister’s Dora, Nellie Lizzie and Winnie Hewitt, all of 11, Elm Street, Leicester, his older brother William, address unknown and his sister Emma Smith of 7, Elm Street, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4 inches in height, weighed 118 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had grey eyes. It was noted that he had a birth mark in his left armpit. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for Army service on the 29th April 1910 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 8951 on the 29/4/10. Commenced training on the 30/4/10. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at Aldershot on the 12/5/10. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 7/12/10. Embarked for India aboard the SS -?- on the 8/12/10. Posted to Belgaum, India on the 30/12/10 – 5/3/11. Posted to Bellary, India on the 6/3/11 – 1/3/12. Awarded his 3rd Class Army Certificate of Education on the 22/4/11. Awarded his 2nd Class Army Certificate of Education on the 2/9/11. Posted to Madras, India on the 2/3/12 – 24/12/12. Posted to Bellary, India on the 25/12/12 – 3/2/13. Posted to Bareilly, India on the 4/2/13 – 14/3/13. Posted to Ranikhet, India on the 15/3/13 – 20/10/13. Posted to Bareilly, India on the 24/10/13 - -?-. Killed in action at a place not stated on the 19/12/14. A summary of his service records, Home Service, 29/4/10 – 6/12/10, 222 days. India, 7/12/10 – 11/10/14, 3 years 309 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 12/10/14 – 19/12/14, 69 days. Total service 4 years and 235 days. Herbert was awarded the 1914 Star, British and Victory medals. SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 19 Dec-14 - A bombing party proceeded to the barricade up the ditch leading to the enemy and relieved the 6th JATS. One Company was to deploy from the ditch out to the right outside the wire in front of our parapet and lie down. Another Company was to do the same on the left. As soon as the advance commenced, the remaining two Companies were to do the same (one on each side of the ditch) and advance in support. At 3.15 am the deployment was completed in absolute silence and at 3.30 am the advance commenced. The Companies had three platoons in the front line and one in support, the latter accompanied by a bombing party. As soon as the parties came up in line with the bombing party in the ditch, the latter jumped over the barricade, cut the wire, advanced to enemy’s barricade and bombed it. The left Company had hardly gone twenty yards when a Maxim opened on their right, 20 more yards and they were stopped by a hedge with barbed wire in the ditch. This caused a few minutes delay. They got through and immediately a second Maxim opened. The Company then entered the trench under the fire of the two Maxims and captured it and the guns. Only one German was found in it, the rest having escaped during the delay at the hedge and ditch. This trench was very deep and narrow and about 60 yards long. The officer commanding the Company (Captain ROMILLY) concluded that there must be another trench in the rear. He accordingly got his men out of the trench and lined them up for a second advance. A Maxim gun immediately opened on his right, and another behind this one and to his left. He determined to go for the latter and advanced on it and got into the ditch in which it had been only to find it empty. The Company was now behind the Maxim that had opened on the right and Captain ROMILLY reformed his Company to attack this. At this moment our batteries opened fire and shells commenced bursting over his Company and the enemy’s trenches. Captain ROMILLY thinking, he had gone too far decided to return to the 1st German trench he had taken. This he found occupied by the supporting Company, dawn was now breaking so this trench was put into a state of defence, and the natural ditch in front of it for a distance of some 200 yards. The Company on the right in its advance missed the first German trench, as it hove too much to its right. On passing this trench it was met by heavy Maxim and rifle fire, but they rushed forward and captured the trenches about 100 yards in length. This trench hove round to the right and they advanced along it with the bombing party in front. This trench led into one of the enemy’s main trenches and when within 20 yards of it the whole of the bombing party, 8 in number except one were put out of action. They also were met by a heavy enfilade rifle fire. The officer commanding decided to erect a barricade at once and this was accomplished under heavy rifle fire and hand bombing of the enemy. The trench was put into a state of defence. The Company in support moved forward and reinforced this Company, and I also sent a Company of the 2/3rd GURKHA RIFLES with the same purpose. I regret I have not been able to find out what happened to the Company under Major DUNDAS, but it evidently reinforced that ½ Battalion 2/3rd in reserve at daylight, nor is it possible to say what happened to the supporting Company on the right as Major KNATCHBULL was wounded. Lieutenant TOOLEY missing, but it eventually joined up with the leading Company. Stock was taken of the position as soon as it was light enough. The PIONEER Company immediately improved the communication trench, and as it could be seen that a main enemy’s trench flanked its right, I ordered it to be made into a fire trench as well, and to be traversed. This work was excellently done by the Company and they were of the greatest assistance. The captured trench on the right was also not only enfiladed by this trench, but commanded by it. There were no traverses in it and being very narrow, was very hard to work in. It was not long before the enemy started on it with heavy bombs from mortars and bringing a Maxim up the trench blew the barricade down. We were steadily pushed back along it, until finally we held only 30 yards of it, Captain BAMBEGGER, ROYAL ENGINEERS was killed while gallantly directing the erection of the barricade. At the same time the two Maxims opened in front with the object of enfilading the communications trench and the parapet had to be built up again to prevent this. The conclusion was more being forced on me that unless an attack was initiated on the right of the enemy’s trench in that direction held, the position was untenable and I reported accordingly, with this result which is already known. The retirement was well carried out and without loss. Finally, the net profits were two Maxim guns, 4 prisoners and I personally saw 5 dead Germans left visible, but my officers report many more than this wounded and I consider more were killed. One of the killed was an officer but it was impossible to get to him.
On Saturday January 23rd 1915, The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” CASUALTY LISTS. Much sympathy will go out to Mrs. Hewitt, of 50, Parry Street, Leicester, who has had two sons killed and a third wounded, at the front. Private George Hewitt was killed on October 25, Private H. B. Hewitt, of the 2nd Leicester’s died of his wounds on December 19. The other son, who was wounded has recovered, and is about to return to the front. There will be a general wish that fate will be more kindly disposed towards him than it was to his brothers, and that the already great sorrow of Mrs. Hewitt may not be increased.
On Saturday February 6th 1915, The Leicester Journal published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERS ROLL OF HONOUR.” – Private H. B. Hewitt, 2nd Leicester’s, who died on Dec. 19th. His home was at 56, Parry-street, Leicester. His brother, Private D. Hewitt, was killed in action on Oct. 27th, whilst another brother, who went to the front at the outbreak of war, has been wounded. (A photograph accompanied this article).
On Tuesday, November 30th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – A Leicester Mother’s Triple Bereavement. – Mrs. Hewitt, of 50, Parry-street, Leicester, has been officially informed that her son, Private ARTHUR HEWITT (7112), of the 1st Northants Regiment, was killed in action in France on Oct. 13th inst. He is the third son Mrs. Hewitt has lost in the war. Pte. George Hewitt, of the Yorkshire Light Infantry, was killed on Oct. 27th, 1914, and Pte. Herbert B. Hewitt, 2nd Leicester’s, was killed on Dec. 19th inst. Mrs. Hewitt will be assured of general sympathy in her exceptionally severe bereavement. Albert Hewitt who had been wounded on two previous occasions, was, like his brother George called up as a reservist at the outbreak of war. The other went to France with the Indian Expeditionary Force.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday December 3rd, 1915

THREE SONS KILLED

Mrs Hewitt, of 50, Parry Street, Leicester, has lost three sons in the war. She has been officially informed that Private Albert Hewitt, of the 1st Northants Regiment, was killed in action in France on October 13th last. Private George Hewitt, of the Yorkshire Light Infantry, was killed on October 27th, 1914, and Private Herbert B. Hewitt, of the 2nd Leicester Regiment, was killed on December 19th last. Albert, who had been wounded on two previous occasions, was called up with his brother George, at the outbreak of war as reservists, while Herbert went to France with the Indian Expeditionary Force.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby, 11/10/2017