Medal Index Card
Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Wilfred was born in October Marwood, Barnard Castle in 1897 the son of Thomas and Mary Elizabeth (nee Sowerby). He was baptised November 5th 1897.
The 1901 census showed Wilfred to be the only child in this family. They resided at Bluestone Grange Farm. His father was a farmer so needed help on the land by way of a worker/servant.
Wilfred's mother, Mary, had died in 1905 so for help his father employed 2 young farm servants and a young widow, Eliza Bowes as housekeeper. She has a 1-year-old child (born January 6th 1910) named Queenie Bowes who on some records is listed as Queenie Hewitson, half-sister to Wilfred. In 1928 Thomas married Eliza Bowes.
Prior to enlisting Wilfred had been apprenticed as a butcher with Mr T. Thompson of 32 Galgate.
Wilfred attested under the Lord Derby conscription scheme as Group 1 Class (ie for those born in 1897 and were unmarried), at Barnard Castle on February 28th 1916. Wilfred was called up on October 6th 1916 then was sent to France.
His documents show him to be 5‘7” tall, weighing 126 lbs with a fair development. His faith was Wesleyan. He had at some stage sustained a calf injury, which graded him as B1 category. He was 18 years 4 months old when he attested.
Wilfred embarked aboard the S.S. Marguerite at Southampton en route for France on the 5th November 1916 then disembarked the following day at Havre. He is posted to the H.(Horse) T.(Transport) where the Army Supply Corps Base was located. On November 9th 1916, Wilfred is posted into the 5th Line of Communication Supply Company. Because of his butchery skills he was posted to Field Butchery Section which was part of the supply company.
On January 10th 1917 he was admitted to no. 10 General Hospital suffering from infection/inflammation of the mucous membrane. He remained there for 3 days.
After recovering he is released back to his unit on the 14th January. Wilfred was granted 14 days leave from 2nd December to 16th December 1917.
He was reclassified on the 21st January 1918 as a B1 category due to his old wound right leg. On the 7th March 1918 he is posted to the 4th Line of Communication Supply Company.
Wilfred was again admitted to No 10th General Hospital on May 5th 1918 for scabies subsequently he recovered at the 2nd Convalescent Depot at Rouen.
On August 12th 1918, Wilfred is found "being in possession of 4 boxes of matches valued at 1 penny the property of the public". He was deprived of 7 days pay but oddly he is also remanded for a Field General Court Martial on 14th August 1918 for this misdemeanour. However, H.Q. returned the case back to the local commander at the base.
Then finally on August 24th 1918 he was admitted to the 8th General Hospital, Rouen suffering from mild bronchial catarrh. Due to a recent misdemeanour he was also worrying about an upcoming Field General Court Martial. Since 20th August 1918 he had slight bronchial catarrh which history about his health from the Labour Camp where he worked was confirmed by the officer in charge. Prior to 21st Wilfred had a medical examination, his catarrh was improving, his temperature normal. Headache and physical examination found nothing of note. On the 22nd August temperature normal but worrying about the future F.C.G.M however the following day although his temperature is normal he is not eating.
On the 24th August Wilfred takes a turn for the worse, unable to answer questions, looking very ill and showing a very poor physique, temperature normal. He is admitted to the hospital where his condition worsens, temperature now 100, very thin and emaciated, mentally confused, restless, wandering mind and complains of a headache. A physical examination confirmed nothing definite.
Temperature now 101 and provisional diagnosis is tuberculous meningitis. This diagnosis is confirmed the following day.
By 27th August, Wilfred is passing into a semi-comatose state. He then started suffering from knee jerks, incontinence and was considered to be extremely ill. He became comatose and died at 3.15pm on August 30th 1918. The condition was confirmed to be contracted on active service.
He never attended the court martial. His total service amounted to 2 years 185 days.
He left £103 to his father in his will.
Wilfred Hewitson is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25 and at Stainton on S143.01.
