James Hewitson

James Hewitson
Born 15 October 1892
Coniston, Lancashire
Died 2 March 1963
Ulverston, Lancashire
Buried Coniston Churchyard
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service 1914 - 1918
Rank Corporal
Unit The King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Victoria Cross

James Hewitson VC (15 October 1892 – 2 March 1963) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Born in Coniston, Lancashire, 15 October 1892,[1] He was a 25 years old lance-corporal in the 1/4th Battalion, The King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 26 April 1918 at Givenchy, France, in a daylight attack on a series of crater posts, Lance-Corporal Hewitson led his party to their objective, clearing the enemy from both trench and dug-outs, killing six who would not surrender. After capturing the final objective he saw a hostile machine-gun team coming into action against his men and working his way round the edge of the crater he attacked the team, killing four and capturing one. Shortly afterwards he routed a bombing party which was attacking a Lewis gun, killing six of them.[2]

He died 2 March 1963 in Ulverston and is buried at St Andrew's Churchyard, Coniston. His medal is privately held.

References

  1. ↑ "King's Own Royal Regiment Museum". Archived from the original on May 11, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  2. ↑ "No. 31340". The London Gazette. 15 May 1919. p. 6084.
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