Hewitt, Fred

Fred Hewitt was born on July 9, 1892 in West Hartlepool, England to parents Matthew and Agnes Hewitt. He was raised in England with siblings Agnes, Robert, Ethel, Richard, Hedley, May and Margaret. Sometime in the early 1900s, the Hewitt family immigrated to Canada, making their home in Lethbridge, Alberta. As a young man, Fred found employment as a warehouseman. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt were very proud of the fact that all of their sons would enlist for service in the Great War. On October 1, 1915, Fred became the third Hewitt boy to enlist. He signed up for service with the 82nd Battalion CEF in Lethbridge. Pte Hewitt arrived in England on May 29, 1916, and remained in England until embarking for France on July 17, 1916. Upon arrival in France, he was taken on strength by the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles. He would serve on the frontlines in France and Flanders for 25 months. On August 10, 1918, Pte Hewitt was killed in action near Amiens. His company had nearly met their objective when he was wounded. Having been tended to by a stretcher bearer, Pte. Hewitt was on his way back to the dressing station when he received a fatal gunshot wound and died instantly. He was laid to rest at Bouchoir New British Cemetery. Fred Hewitt was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His mother, Agnes received the Memorial Cross and death plaque in honour of her son