Boulogne Eastern Cemetery
Willington Cemetery
Medal Index Card
In Willington Cemetery is a family headstone which reads:-
In Loving Memory Of
Thomas Hewitt
Who Died November 19th 1934
Aged 74 Years
Also Of Rachael Hewitt
Wife Of The Above
Who Died October 17th 1935
Aged 72 Years
James Hewitt Killed In Action
March 21st 1916
Aged 27 Years
Sarah Ann Barnet
Who Died May 16th 1933
Aged 39 Years
Son And Daughter Of The Above
On Whose Souls
Sweet Jesus Have Mercy
R.I.P.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Hewitt was born in 1889 at Grahamsley, near Crook, County Durham, one of 8 children of whom only 6 survived, he was the youngest of 2 sons and had 2 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father Thomas Hewitt was born at Tow Law in 1860 and married in 1884 in the district of Bishop Auckland to Rachael Graham born 1863 at Roddymoor, near Crook. In 1891 they were living at 31 Grahamsley, Thomas was employed as a coal miner/hewer, ten years later he was joined at the pit by his eldest son Caleb (15) who worked below ground as a driver. By 1911 they had moved to 16, Mount Pleasant, Stanley, Crook, County Durham. James was now the only son still living at home, employed as a hewer/putter, along with his father, he supported his mother and sisters Elizabeth Ann (18), Sarah Annie (16), also his cousin John Graham (9) and his nephew Benjamin Hewitt (1).
On the outbreak of war James Hewitt enlisted at Durham, August 31st 1914 assigned as Private 16000 Durham Light Infantry and posted that same day to the 11th Battalion. Still without uniforms or equipment the Battalion moved in November to Pirbright where they were issued with blue serge uniforms and obsolete rifles, khaki uniforms did not arrive until March 1915 when by then the Battalion had moved to Larkhill.
In January 1915 the 11th Battalion was made the 20th Division’s Pioneer battalion, working as labourers but when needed they also fought as infantrymen as shown by the distinctive crossed rifles and pick collar badges they wore on their uniform.
July 20th 1915 the 11th Battalion sailed along with the 20th Division as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France, landing at Boulogne and concentrating east of Saint Omer. They were moved to the Fleurbaix area and put to work behind the lines repairing roads before moving to the front line to drain trenches and strengthen barbed wire defences. Whilst undertaking these works Private Hewitt was wounded, exact date unknown, a gunshot wound to the shoulder and face and evacuated back through the line via the Casualty Clearing Station by the Field Ambulance finally reaching the 13th Stationary Hospital at Boulogne.
It was here that Private 16000 James Hewitt Durham Light Infantry died of wounds sustained on active service, March 21st 1916 and interred at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, grave VIII. D. 80. He was 27 years old and single. Due to the sandy soil in this cemetery the grave stones are laid flat.
A telegram was sent that same day to the Infantry Records Office, York, instructing them to inform next of kin. His personal effects were returned to his family at the address of 131, School Row, Oakenshaw, Willington, July 6th 1916. Thomas Hewitt received all monies due to his son by the Army along with his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to their home address. His mother commissioned at a cost of 10 shillings 9 pence and additional inscription to be added to his,military headstone, it reads, “To Live In The Hearts We Leave Behind Is Not To Die”.
It should be noted there is an error in the Imperial War Graves Commission headstone inscription sheet which states his family’s home address as being at Openshaw (Manchester) and should read Oakenshaw.
James’s youngest sister Sarah Ann Barnet nee Hewitt died aged 39 years, May 15th 1933, his father Thomas, November 19th 1934 aged 74 years and his mother Rachael Hewitt nee Graham, October 17th 1935 aged 72 years. They are buried together in the family plot within St Stephen’s Churchyard, Willington, County Durham. The gravestone is also inscribed with a dedication to Private Hewitt.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Hewitt is remembered at Willington on W120.02 and at Oakenshaw on O20.01 and at Durham in D47.013a on page 54
