Hewitt, Robert
Private
No. 235130, 44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (New Brunswick Regiment)
Killed in action on Friday 27 September 1918 (aged 33)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Vimy Memorial, France
Canadian Virtual War Memorial (CVWM)
Canadian First World War Book of Remembrance
Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) Roll of Honour 1914 – 1919 for
Killinchy Presbyterian Church
BIOGRAPHY
Robert Hewitt was born on 14 July 1885 (he declared 14 July 1889 at attestation) and he was a son of Hugh and Agnes Hewitt (nee Quinn) who were married on 13 March 1883 in Killinchy Presbyterian Church. Hugh Hewitt from Ballybundon was a son of Robert Hewitt, a farmer. Agnes Quinn from Ballybundon was a daughter of William Quinn, a farm labourer.
The Hewitt family lived in the townland of Ballybundon, Killinchy.
Hugh Hewitt was a farmer and he and Agnes had seven children:
Hugh John (born 15 April 1883 in Ballybundon)
Agnes (born 9 April 1884 in Ballybundon)
Robert (born 14 July 1885 in Ballybundon)
George (born 11 October 1886 in Ballybundon)
Elizabeth (Lizzie, born 20 May 1889 in Ballybundon)
Mary (born 8 May 1891 in Ballybundon; died 14 May 1891 aged 6 days)
Mary (born 21 August 1892 in Ballybundon)
Their father, Hugh, died on 10 December 1892.
Robert Hewitt moved to Canada where he worked as a teamster.
Robert Hewitt enlisted on 29 May 1916 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and in his attestation papers it was noted that he was 5 feet 9 inches tall with a ruddy complexion, blue eyes and black hair and he cited his wife, Florence Adella Hewitt, as his next-of-kin. Her address at that time was Suite K, Tavistock Building, Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Private Robert Hewitt served initially with the 203rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force and he left from Halifax aboard the SS Grampian on 24 October 1916. He arrived in Liverpool in November 1916 and went to Seaford where he made his will on 20 December 1916 and left everything to his wife. He was drafted to the 44th Battalion on 20 April 1917 and went to the Front. He was wounded in January 1918 and in May 1918 he was awarded a Good Conduct Badge.
Private Robert Hewitt served at the Front with the 44th Battalion Canadian Infantry (New Brunswick Regiment) and he was reported as wounded and missing in action on 27 September 1918 during the Allied offensive against all sections of the German line. On 19 August 1919 it was officially reported that he must be presumed to have died.
Private Robert Hewitt was 33 when he died and he has no known grave.
Private Robert Hewitt is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial in France; on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial (CVWM); in the Canadian First World War Book of Remembrance and in the PCI Roll of Honour for Killinchy Presbyterian Church.
After Private Robert Hewitt died his widow, Florence, lived at 1852 Logan Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba.