A SOLDIER'S LIFE
Frank Rupert Hewitt - 59th Battalion

The bullet found its mark, smashing into his shoulder and causing his arm to go limp. He staggered forward, managing to keep his footing amidst the incessant hail of bullets.

Turning around, he saw his men pouring out of the sally port, clods of dirt exploding about their feet as the German machine gunners found their mark.

Knowing the fate that most likely awaited them, he bravely turned back into the withering storm of machine gun fire and led his men onwards.

Although this act of bravery was to win Frank Rupert Hewitt the Military Cross it was just one achievement in a long and illustrious military career which spanned over thirty years and covered several continents.

Born in Liverpool , England , on 20th September 1876 , Frank Rupert Hewitt was one of five children born to Henry and Elizabeth Hewitt. Emigrating to Australia with his family in the late 1800s, he received his first taste of armed service as part of the part-time militia (5th Infantry Regiment) and 1st Australian Horse.

At the outbreak of the Boer War, Frank answered the call, travelling to South Africa to take part in the hostilities as a member of the Peninsular Horse. Following this, he joined the Orange River Colony Provisional Mounted Police before undertaking further duties as a scout with the Field Intelligence Department. It was while acting as a scout that he was wounded in action for the first time. However, this didn't deter his military inclinations, and upon his return from South Africa , Hewitt joined the 3rd NSW Imperial Bushmen Contingent, serving with them until May 1902.

In 1906, Hewitt returned to South Africa once again; this time to serve with the Natal Carbineers during the Natal Uprising. As well as taking part in the battle of Mhome Gorge, Hewitt undertook a series of missions into the mountains of Zululand , trying to drive out the enemy warriors.

With the cessation of hostilities, Hewitt took up a position as the manager of the Lever Bros Plantations in the British Solomon Islands , where he remained until 1914, at which time he returned to Australia to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force. He embarked for the Middle East as a sergeant with the 1st Veterinary Section on board the transport ship Ajana on 19th December 1914 , disembarking at Alexandria and going to camp in Egypt , where he was promoted to staff sergeant before becoming attached to the 7th Light Horse Regiment and being sent to Gallipoli.

After being made a second lieutenant in September 1915 he was transferred to the 7th Infantry Battalion and continued operations on Gallipoli. In late 1915 it was reported that Hewitt was mentioned in despatches for his role during the evacuation at Gallipoli. However there is no evidence of this being gazetted, and as such we only have a mention in the battalion diaries of what he did to earn this honour:

 “At the evacuation he was one of those who had the eerie experience of staying on for a time after the troops had left.”

After leaving Gallipoli on the last boat, he returned to Egypt and was transferred to the newly formed 59th Infantry Battalion and sent to camp at Tel-el-Kebir. Whilst there he was promoted to lieutenant and then to captain. In June 1916 he left for France with the rest of his battalion onboard the transport ship Kinfauns Castle , arriving at Marseilles and taking the train to northern France. Hewitt then undertook operations against the Germans, including the allied attacks at Fromelles, where he was wounded in the right shoulder and awarded the Military Cross:

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. Although badly wounded shortly after leaving our trenches, he led forward his men, under very heavy fire, up to the front line. He set a fine example of courage.”

Following the attack at Fromelles he was evacuated to the UK and admitted to Wandsworth Military Hospital , before being promoted to major. The bravery and leadership he had shown in the field was clearly appreciated by the men of the 59th Battalion, who presented Hewitt with a gold-plated pocket watch as a token of their appreciation for all that he had done for them. One can only imagine the feelings Hewitt experienced upon receiving this watch from the men who had followed him into hell and back.

In October 1916 Frank Hewitt returned to Sydney onboard the ship Karoola, being discharged in March 1917. Following this he was made an honorary major and adjutant of the 5/1st Infantry Regiment in the part-time militia before being moved to Reserve of Officers in July 1920. He retired from the armed forces in 1936 and returned to his position in the Solomon Islands , where he stayed until the mid 1940s, whereupon he once again returned to Australia .

Frank Rupert Hewitt passed away in February 1949 and his ashes were scattered in the grounds of the Northern Suburbs Crematorium, where a monument has been erected to honour the memory of all of the servicemen and women who are buried there.

Research notes:

1) Hewitt is commemorated on the war memorial in Steyne Park , Double Bay , Sydney .

2) Hewitt married Gwladys Llewellyn in 1917. They had two children; Alan John Campbell Hewitt and Ailsa Gwaldys Hewitt.

3) Alan John Campbell saw service with the 2/13 infantry battalion during WW2.

Photos:

1) Frank Hewitt studio portrait AWM photo H06580

2) Frank Hewitt portrait from Sydney Morning Herald

3) The pocket watch presented to Major Hewitt in original case.

4) Memorial at Steyne Park, photo by Damian Madden.

5) Plaque at Northern Suburbs Crematorium, photo by Damian Madden.

6) Cover of the first issue of teh Gazette Hewitt founded while working in the Solomon Islands. This issue was edited by him.