John Leonard Hewitson

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 20/05/2015 - 14:13

First Name:

John

Middle Name:

Leonard

Last Name:

Hewitson

Mother's Name:

Annie (nee Buchanan)

Father's Name:

Peter Hewitson

Date Enlisted:

Monday, September 14, 1914

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

6th Light Horse

Company:

B Squadron

Service:

Cavalry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

M I D

Date of Death:

Thursday, February 16, 1961

Details:

Sergeant John Hewitson (Service no. 269) was born in Casino circa 1889 and at enlistment was a single 25 year old shearer living in Wollongong.

He embarked on HMAT A29 Suevic on 21st December, 1914 with D troop, B Squadron 6th Light Horse. After training in Egypt he went to Gallipoli, arriving on 15th May, 1915 and saw service there until he was evacuated sick on 3rd September, 1915. He was sent to hospital in England for treatment on 28th September, 1915.

John returned to Egypt in March, 1916 and saw service in the Middle East, however, he had numerous admissions to hospital with illness. On 4th April, 1917 he was promoted to Sergeant. He was admitted to hospital seriously ill with influenza and paralysis and was returned to Australia in April, 1919. He was discharged medically unfit with Myalitis on 18th September, 1919. On 16th January, 1918 he was mentioned in Dispatches for Distinguished Service with Military Operations. John's brother Archibald Hewitson (Service no. 948) also served with the 6th Light Horse.

In 1936 John married Gertrude Preston Harris at Paddington. He died at Concord Hospital on 16th February, 1961.

John Hewitson is remembered on the Wollongong Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, HEWITSON J L 269

NAA: A8233, 20/ROOKWOOD [NSW]/HEWITSON JOHN LEONARD