James Hewitson
{{Short description|English Victoria Cross recipient (1892-1963)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
|name=James Hewitson
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1892|10|15|df=yes}}
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1963|3|2|1892|10|15|df=yes}}
|birth_place= Coniston, Lancashire, England
|death_place= Ulverston, Lancashire, England
|placeofburial=Coniston Churchyard
|image= James Hewitson VC.jpg
|caption=
|nickname=
|allegiance={{UK}}
|serviceyears=1914 - 1918
|rank=Corporal
|branch=23px British Army
|commands=
|unit=King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
|battles= World War I
|awards= 30px Victoria Cross
|laterwork=
}}
James Hewitson VC (15 October 1892 – 2 March 1963) was an English soldier awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for valor in the face of the enemy, bestowed upon British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
Born in Coniston, Lancashire, 15 October 1892,{{cite web|url=http://www.kingsownmuseum.plus.com/hewitsonvc.htm |title=King's Own Royal Regiment Museum |access-date=January 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511090930/http://www.kingsownmuseum.plus.com/hewitsonvc.htm |archive-date=May 11, 2013 }} he was a 25-year-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.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UIosmy8NRwQC&pg=PA287&ci=502%2C169%2C424%2C341 |title=The V.C. and D.S.O. |volume=I |editor1-first=O'Moore |editor1-last=Creagh |editor1-link=O'Moore Creagh |editor2-first=E. M. |editor2-last=Humphris |publisher=The Standard Art Book Company |place=London |page=287 |date=1924 |access-date=2025-03-28 |via=Google Books}}
{{Quote|For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and daring in action.
In a daylight attack on a series of crater posts, L./Cpl. Hewitson led his party to their objective with dash and vigour, clearing the enemy from both trench and dug-outs, killing in one dug-out six of the enemy who would not surrender. After capturing the final objective, he observed a hostile machine-gun team coming into action against his men. Working his way round the edge of the crater he attacked the team, killing four and capturing one. Shortly afterwards he engaged a hostile bombing party, which was attacking a Lewis-gun post. He routed the party, killing six of them.
The extraordinary feats of daring performed by this gallant N.C.O. crushed the hostile opposition at this point.{{London Gazette| issue=31340 |page=6084 |date=15 May 1919 }}}}
He died 2 March 1963 in Ulverston and is buried at St Andrew's Churchyard, Coniston.{{sfn|Gliddon|2013|p=204}}{{sfn|Whitworth|2015|p=10}} His medal is privately held.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{cite book|first=Gerald|last=Gliddon|year=2013|orig-year=2004|title=Spring Offensive 1918|series=VCs of the First World War|location=Stroud, Gloucestershire|publisher=The History Press|isbn=978-0-7524-8730-4}}
- {{cite book|last=Whitworth|first=Alan |title=VCs of the North: Cumbria, Durham & Northumberland |year=2015|publisher=Pen and Sword Books|isbn=978-1473848221}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20041028141720/http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/cumbria.htm Location of grave and VC medal] (Cumbria)
- {{Find a Grave|7951589}}
{{Duke of Lancaster's Regiment}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hewitson, James}}
Category:King's Own Royal Regiment soldiers
Category:British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
Category:British Army personnel of World War I
Category:People from Coniston, Cumbria
Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross