The AIF Project

Arthur Thomas HEWETT

Regimental number263
Date of birth18 September 1891
Place of birthKorong Vale, Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationWaggon builder
Address595 King Street, West Melbourne, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23.6
Height5' 8.5"
Next of kinFather, Ephraim Hewett, Vale Farm, Kunjinn via Wikepin, Western Australia
Previous military serviceServed for 2 years 9 months in the 2nd Field Company Engineers, Citizen Military Forces.
Enlistment date14 April 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll20 May 1915
Rank on enlistmentAble Bodied Sapper
Unit name1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train
AWM Embarkation Roll numberMIS34.12.1.RANBT1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board A39 Port Macquarie on 4 June 1915
Rank from Nominal RollBombardier
Unit from Nominal Roll12th Field Artillery Brigade
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal


'During the fighting on the 7th May, and whilst the 47th Battery was firing a creeping barrage on BULLECOURT, a shell burst on the bank just by No. 1 Gun, killing the No. 2 and 3 at the gun, wounding the No. 1, whilst three other men near by suffered from shell shock.

Bombardier HEWETT who was setting fuzes, at once ran into the fighting pit, and got a new list of ranges and switches, and continued working the gun with No. 4370 Gnr. J.F. Andrews until two other men arrived.

Throughout the heavy shelling which the Battery received on this date, Bdr. Hewett showed marked coolness and resolution, and by his brave example and determination, prevented any break in the Barrage, owing to the casualties which No. 1 Gun suffered.'
Recommendation date: 26 May 1917

FateReturned to Australia 13 April 1919
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at a critical moment during the firing of a barrage by his battery. A shell having burst near a gun and caused casualties which would have affected the barrage, he ran to the rescue and worked the gun until more men arrived.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219
Date: 20 December 1917

Croix de Guerre (Belgium)


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 91
Date: 23 July 1919

Discharge date23 July 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Arrived Lemnos, 21 July 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria from Mudros, 20 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation).

Appointed Artificer, 11 February 1916.

Found guilty, Ismailia, 28 February 1916, of overstaying leave by 5.5 hours: forfeited 2 days' pay.

Taken on strength, 47th Battery, Serapeum, 15 April 1916, and mustered as Gunner.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 2 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 9-10 June 1916.

Temporarily attached to 4th Divisional Ammunition Column as Instructor, 24 July 1916; rejoined unit from detachment, 30 July 1916.

Promoted Bombardier, 25 July 1916.

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Promoted Corporal, Belgium, 4 June 1917.

On leave to United Kingdom, 11 September 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 24 September 1917.

Admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, 3 October 1917 (hernia); transferred to 22nd General Hospital, Camiers, 5 October 191; to England, 8 October 1917 and admitted to 2/1 Southern General Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham, 9 October 1917; transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 17 October 1917; discharged on furlough, 5-19 December 1917, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny.

Marched out to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 16 January 1918.

Marched out to Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery, Heytesbury, 4 February 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 13 February 1918; rejoined 12th Field Artillery Brigade, 18 February 1918.

Detached to Australian Corps Lewis Gun School, 14 March 1918; rejoined unit, 18 April 1918.

Promoted Temporary Sergeant, 4 September 1918.

On leave to Le Treport, 11 September 1918; rejoined unit, 17 September 1918.

Reverted to rank of Corporal, 31 October 1918.

On leave to Paris, 28 October 1918; rejoined unit, 8 November 1918.

On leave to United Kingdom, 25 November 1918; rejoined unit, 13 December 1918.

Promoted Sergeant, 31 October 1918. Awarded Belgian Croix de Guerre.

Granted leave with pay and subs for Non-Military Employment (agricultural course), 26 March-10 April 1919.

Commenced return to Australia from Liverpool on board HT 'Wyreema', 13 April 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 24 May 1919; discharged, 23 July 1919.

Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, Croix de Guerre (Belgium), 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Also served in World War II: enlisted, 7 June 1942; discharged as W68183 Private, 3rd Bn, Volunteer Defence Corps.
Date of death12 January 1966
Age at death74
Place of burialAllambie Park Cemetery, Albany, Western Australia
SourcesNAA: B2455, HEWETT Arthur Thomas

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