Name
Alfred Edward Hewitt
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/01/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
31133
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LOOS MEMORIAL
Panel 41.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Christ Church Memorial, Watford, St Andrew's Church Memorial, Watford, Not on the Park Street memorials, Not on the St Albans memorials(*1)
Pre War
Son of Frederick Edward and Elizabeth (nee GREEN) HEWITT; husband of Ethel May (nee ALLEN) HEWITT.
His parents married 3 May 1890 at St John the Baptist, Aldenham, Herts. Elizabeth died 1934 in Watford aged 71, and was buried 24 December in North Watford Cemetery; Frederick died 13 February 1947 in Watford aged 78, and was buried 19 February, also in North Watford Cemetery.
Alfred was born 25 April 1891 in St Alban’s, Herts(*1), and baptised 24 May 1891 at Holy Trinity, Frogmore, Herts. He attended Colney Street C of E J.M.I. School, St Alban’s, from 19 June 1894 to 20 January 1902; then Alexandra School, Watford, from 20 January 1902 to 22 December 1904. He married 10 May 1913 at St Mary’s, Watford; they had two children. He resided in Watford. Ethel never remarried, she died 2 August 1975 in Watford aged 84, and was buried 7 August in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 9 he lived in St Alban’s, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1911 Census, a carman horse driver aged 19, he lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Bedford; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action in the front line near Loos.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Alfred in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 24 February 1917. Unfortunately, Alfred’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the Worlds War Two bombing. *1 Records found have recorded his birthplace as St Albans. This may be the case, however St Albans was the main postal location given for nearby villages and hamlets, so it may be that this information is misleading. If more accurate information found this will be updated.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
