Charles Hewitt

War Service

Charles enlisted in Ossett and embarked for France on 11th September 1915. He was Private 16936 of the 10th Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. The 10th Battalion were involved in the attack on Fricourt on the opening day of Battle of the Somme on the 1st July 1916 as part of 64 Brigade 21st Division. Charles was killed on that day.
The Wakefield Express had the following report on 2nd September 1916:
“Private C Hewitt (KOYLI) whose sister Mrs Dansie lives at Eastwoods Buildings Roundwood, has been missing since July 1st.”
The Ossett Observer had the following obituary for Private Charles Hewitt:
“Ossett Common Soldier Falls – Previously posted as wounded and missing, Private Charles Hewitt (26), of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, an Ossett Common Man, is now reported to have been killed in action at the beginning of the ‘big push’ on July 1st. The official intimation of his death was received during the weekend, by his brother, Mr John Thomas Hewitt, of South Parade. The deceased, who was unmarried, was brought up at Ossett Common. His late father, a former corporation employee, himself spent many years in the army. A workman at Old Roundwood Collieries, deceased resided with a married sister at Roundwood at the time he enlisted, just over two years ago. He last visited home at Christmas 1914 and shortly afterwards went to the western front. For some time, he had been a grenade thrower. His brother George, who went through the South African war, is engaged training recruits in the north of England.”
George mentioned at the end of the obituary is listed as a next of kin for Charles in the Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects and is said to be a CSM (Company Sergeant Major) with the Durham Light Infantry at the Harrowby Camp, Grantham.
Charles is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial as well as the memorials at Kirkhamgate and St Anne’s and received the 14/15 Star, The British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
(Some information is included with permission from www.ossett.net ).

Family Life

Charles was the youngest son of Thomas and Margaret who in 1881 were living at Flushdyke. By 1891 his father Thomas was a wool extractor with the family living at South Parade and in 1901 there were living in Haggs Hill Road, Ossett, his father now a corporation carter. Ten years later they were still there although Margaret was now a widow and Charles was a colliery pony driver.

Thiepval Memorial