Sergeant. 1/5th Battalion. East Lancashire Regiment. Number 1151.
Early life:
Norman Hewitt’s parents were John James Hewitt and Sarah Elizabeth Hewitt née Slack who were married on 2nd June 1884 at the parish church in Keighley. 23 year old John was a bachelor and weaver from Oakworth and 22 year old Sarah was a spinster from Knowle Park in Keighley.
When Norman was born on the 7th of June 1887 they were living at Mill Lane in the Lane Ends area of Oakworth and a couple of years later in 1890, they moved the short distance to 25, Bridge Street. Norman was baptised on the 28th of August at a Methodist Chapel, probably the Primitive Chapel at Denby Hill, which was just a short way up the road.
In the 1891 census Norman was aged three and living at 25, Bridge Street with his parents. His father John James was 31 and employed as a stuff weaver and their mother Sarah was 30 and employed as a stuff weaver. Norman had an older sister Lily aged six, who was attending school, probably the National School which is now the Snooty Fox public house.
The family moved to 5, MacLeod Street in Nelson, and the Electoral rolls for John James give us an idea of when they moved there, as the last electoral entry for him in Oakworth is dated 1895. If this was the case then Norman would have been aged about eight when they moved and could have had a few years education at the National School.
The 1901 census record shows them living at number 5. John aged 39 was a worsted and cotton weaver as was Sarah aged 38. Lily and Norman were aged 16 and 13 respectively and were also worsted and cotton weavers. The nearest cotton mill was Whitefield Cotton Mill at the end of MacLeod Street, but there were no less than 18 cotton mills/weaving sheds within a mile of their home.
Norman married Christiana(Christina) Parker at the Parish Church of Christ Church in Blackburn. He was 23 and a bachelor and still working as a weaver. He was living at 46, Regent Street in Nelson. Christiana Parker was aged 20 and a spinster of 58, John Thomas Street. (Note, there was a John Street and a Thomas Street in Nelson, which intersected. She may have been living at the intersection.)
In the 1911 census John James and Sarah Elizabeth were living at 46, Regent Street in Nelson and the newly married Norman and Christina were living with them. (Norman’s older sister Lily may have died at the age of 20 in 1905.)
Norman was aged 23 and like his father was a cotton weaver. Christina was 21 and ‘assisting in business’ This is likely to be with her mother-in-law Sarah Elizabeth who was a confectioner and bread baker.
Also living here on the date of the census was ten year old Florence Hartley, niece of John James.
Norman and Christina had two children who were John, born 15th October 1911, Norman born 26th February 1913.
Their son Norman was baptised at Barrowfoot in Burnley on 20th April 1913 and they were living at Thorneyholme Square at that time.
War service:
There are no Army service records for Norman Hewitt but according to the newspaper record he was called up at the beginning of the war, suggesting some prior service or possibly with a local territorial battalion. The soldier’s effects records tells us the war gratuity amount and with his rank of sergeant, it registers an approximate enlistment date of July 1915.
We know very little of his Army service until he entered the Gallipoli theatre on the 10th of May 1915 with the 1/5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment and just over a month later, his death on 28th June 1915.
Since he was a Sergeant he either had prior service or a meteoric rise through the ranks.
WO-95/4315. 1/5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment War diary:
The battalion embarked on H.M.T. GALEKA at Port Said on the 5th May 1915 and sailed for the Gallipoli Peninsula. They arrived at GABA TEPE at dawn and anchored for a couple of hours before proceeding to CAPE HELLES and bivouacked for the night. The next day they relieved the Naval Brigade.
They were serving in and out of the trenches on Gallipoli.
On the 27th June our batteries carried out a heavy bombardment of ACHI BABA. Turkish trenches were taken and HARRICOT REDOUBT was retaken. 200 Turkish prisoners were taken.
The next day Norman was killed whilst issuing water to our men.
Casualty report: I man killed, 6 wounded.
Information from letters written home was reported in local newspapers, telling how he met his death.
The Keighley News. Saturday, 11th September 1915, page 7:
OAKWORTH. FORMER OAKWORTH MAN KILLED AT THE DARDANELLES.
Sergeant Norman Hewitt, of the first 5th East Lancashire Regiment, has been killed in action at the Dardanelles.
He was a son of Mr. Hewitt (Blackpool), who was formerly a lay preacher and earnest worker at Lane Ends Primitive Methodist Chapel for many years.
In a letter to Mr. and Mrs, Hewitt, Sergeant Sugden states that the soldier was shot in the head whilst serving out water to the regiment near the end of an Australian trench, and was buried the same day. The sergeant adds: “He died a soldier and was a model of British pluck, having shown in every action since landing here the metal (mettle) he was made of. You will see by the date of Norman’s death (June 28) he died whilst one of the heaviest bombardments was taking place, although not in the firing line at the time. It was a day never to be forgotten by troops here. Hundreds yesterday went to their Maker bravely, and showing the stuff that English troops are made of. The French stood in trenches watching our rushes against the indomitable Turk”
Writing to Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt, Sergeant Stezaker said:
“No pluckier lad ever handled a rifle, and the duty he was engaged upon when he was killed he had volunteered to do whilst his friend Sergeant Scott (Burnley) got his dinner.
I may mention a little event which was brought to my notice last Tuesday.
One of Norman’s men had been shot in the arm and in the abdomen in a trench near him. The trench being a new one which men of our company had been working on during the previous night was only partly made: being both very narrow and shallow. This man, Private Lee, on being shot, fell into the trench and was quite wedged in. The man was mortally wounded, but Norman went and worked might and main until he was able to get him out and place him on a stretcher. He (Norman) told me himself what a hot time he had, as there was a Turkish sniper potting at him all the time – the same man who had shot Private Lee. This is only one of the many times he has gamely taken on dangerous duties”
Note: 2267 Private Herbert Lee died on 22nd June 1915 and was buried at Redoubt Cemetery, Helles with a special memorial in B. 4. at Gallipoli.
24002 Sergeant Sugden (writing the letter) was killed in action in France on 1st June 1917.
Sergeant Stezaker survived the war.
The Keighley News. Saturday, 11th September 1915, page 7:
Oakworth. HARVEST FESTIVAL
Harvest services were held in connection with the Lame Ends Primitive Methodist Chapel on Sunday and Monday last. On Sunday morning service of song, entitled Where Garlands Grow,” was rendered, the music being given by the choir and recitals by scholars from the school. In the afternoon & cantata “The Two Harvests” (Dr. Tozer), was given, the solo parts being taken by Mrs. Greenwood, Mr. Smith, and Mr. A. Wigglesworth. In the evening the Rev. Tyler Tyers conducted the service.
On Monday evening a fruit banquet, concert, and “silver tree” were promoted. The Rev, T. Tyers presided over the proceedings, and Mrs. Tyers unloaded the silver tree” of its 101 contributions, subscribed in envelopes. The evening’s programme included pianoforte duets by Mr. and Mr. Taylor, recitals by Mrs. Simpson (Shipley). and songs by Messrs. Bearsley and Wigglesworth. During the evening vote of condolence was passed with Mr. and Mrs Hewitt (Blackpool), formerly of Oakworth, in the loss of their son in the Dardanelles. Mr. Hewitt was a lay preacher and earnest worker at Lane Ends, and his son was a scholar in the school. The reading of the letters from his comrades in arts visibly affected the congregation. The musical arrangements were carried out by Mr. Fred Smith, and the accompaniments were provided by Mr. A. Taylor. The festival realised £14 9. BJ. a sum a long way in advance of that of any previous effort of a similar character.
Burnley Express. 11th August 1915:
ROUGHLEE SERGEANT’S DEATH
MODEL OF BRITISH PLUCK.
Letters have been received by Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt regarding the death of their son, Sergeant Hewitt, of Roughlee, who was killed in action some time ago. Sergeant Hewitt lived at Nelson 20 years, and at Roughlee two years, and as a boy he was brought up at the Scotland-road Primitive Methodist Chapel.
Expeditionary
One letter from Sergeant J. W. Sugden, 1/5th East Lancashire Regiment, Force, says: “I scribble these few lines, and before you read them I want you to bear up like British parents and the father and mother of one of the best and bravest of our lads here. My own and true chum, your dear son Norman, lost his life yesterday (June 28th), by rifle shot wound in the head, whilst serving out water to the regiment, near the end of the Australian trench, and was buried at 8 p.m. We held a service, the Wesleyan padre, the Rev. Mr. Bateson, officiating. So you see that, as chums, we did all that was humanly possible for him. He died a soldier, and was a model of British pluck, having shown in every action since landing here the metal he was made of. His death was painless, and very sudden. Although within fifty yards of him myself, as soon as I heard I ran to the spot, but he had passed peacefully away. To-day one of the pioneers, Pte. Iveson, of Colne, will erect a small painted cross and finish his grave off.”
Sergeant Wm. Stezaker, 1/5th East Lancashire Regiment, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, also says: “I am taking this opportunity of adding a few lines to Sergeant Sugden’s letter, to confirm all he has said about your son Norman. No pluckier lad ever handled a rifle, and the duty he was engaged upon when he was killed he had volunteered to do whilst his friend, Sergeant Scott, of Burnley, got his dinner.”
ROUGHLEE SERGEANT’S FATE IN DARDANELLES.
News reached Roughlee during the weekend that Sergeant Norman Hewitt (1151), of the 5th Battalion East Lancashire (Territorials) Regiment, had been killed at the Dardanelles. Since he was called up at the beginning of the war his wife and two young children have lived at Blackburn, where Mrs. Hewitt’s parents reside. No particulars are known in the village of how the sergeant met his death. He had been previously reported wounded, and was in hospital for a time. His parents reside at Blackpool, and during his three years’ stay in the village he had been employed as a weaver at Messrs. Chris. Atkinson’s mill at Barrowford. He was an active worker at the Barley Primitive Methodist Chapel, being on the roll of honour. He was a good elocutionist.
Remembrance:
Norman was buried by his men at the time, but the grave position must have been lost later and his name is engraved on the Helles Memorial on Gallipoli. He is on panel 114 to 118.
Locally he was named on the Barley Primitive Methodist Chapel roll of honour.
In Oakworth he is named on the Great War Centenary roll of honour, on display at Oakworth Community Hall.
Post war:
Norman was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal which would have been sent to his widow Christina in 1920 or 1921. She would also have received his personal effects and a bronze war memorial plaque and King’s certificate inscribed with his name.
Christina was Norman’s next of kin and the sole legatee in his will. She received his remaining Army pay in a payment of £5 18s 11d on 13th April 1916. A war gratuity payment of £6 was paid to her on 2nd July 1919.
She received a Dependant’s Pension of 19s 6d per week for herself (for life) and two children which began on 24th January 1916. The two children were John Robert Hewitt and Norman Hewitt. Their pension allowance would continue until their sixteenth birthdays.
In the 1921 census Christina was 32 and a widow living at 142 Bonsall Street in Blackburn with her son Norman aged eight and a girl (named as her daughter) Lily Hewitt aged just one year and 8 months and the record states her father was dead. She could not have been Norman’s child as he was killed in action almost four years before she was conceived.
Also living here in the census was Mary Ellen Parker aged 15 and a Ring winder in a cotton mill.
Her son John R. Hewitt, aged 9 years and 8 months, was staying with his grandparents John and Sarah Hewitt at 75, Hornby Road in Blackpool during the 1921 census.
Christina was aged 50 and living at 62, Bonsall Street in Blackburn in the 1939 register. She was on unpaid domestic duties but would have had her Dependant’s pension as income. With her was her son Norman aged 26 and daughter Lily aged 20. Also here was Colin Hebson, probably a lodger.
Information sources:
West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1813-1935
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
West Yorkshire, Non-Conformist Records, 1646-1985
1891 England Census
West Yorkshire, England, Electoral Registers, 1840-1962
1901 England Census
1911 England Census
Lancashire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1936
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
Lancashire, England, Non-Conformist Registers of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1762-2005
Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919
Keighley News archives at Keighley Library.
The Burnley Express.
British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920
WWI Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920
Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923
1921 England Census
1939 England and Wales Register
England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007.
