William George Hewett

Wounded while trying to save a fellow officer during the First Battle of Ypres, William George Hewett displayed the courage and determination that would distinguish his military career across two world wars. He became one of the early recipients of the Military Cross and later earned a Bar to that decoration for further gallantry under fire.

Born on 4 September 1894 in Malvern, Worcestershire, Hewett graduated from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and was commissioned into the Welsh Regiment on 25 February 1914. He reached France with the 2nd Battalion on 13 August 1914 and participated in the fighting at Mons, the Aisne and Ypres, including Gheluvelt. During the fighting at Ypres, he was wounded while attempting to rescue the severely injured Captain Venables.

Serving as the battalion's machine-gun officer, Hewett distinguished himself at Givenchy and received the Military Cross, gazetted on 23 June 1915. Seconded to the Machine Gun Corps in January 1916, he continued to serve on the Western Front. His Bar to the Military Cross, announced in the London Gazette of 13 February 1917, recognised outstanding leadership in action, including his determination to continue commanding despite being wounded.

Hewett was Mentioned in Despatches five times, with notices published on 17 February 1915, 22 June 1915, 1 January 1916, 28 December 1918 and 5 July 1919. He also received the French Croix de Guerre, gazetted on 10 October 1918. By the end of the war, he had served as a General Staff Officer, Second Grade, with XXII Corps.

Following the Armistice, Hewett served during the Allied intervention in Russia and later in the Waziristan campaign on India's North-West Frontier. He subsequently held regimental and staff appointments in India before commanding the Welch Regiment depot at Cardiff from 1936 to 1939.

During the Second World War, Hewett commanded the 1/5th Battalion, Welch Regiment, in Northern Ireland before his promotion to brigadier in October 1941. He subsequently held brigade and territorial command appointments. His distinguished military service was recognised with appointment as an Officer of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire, gazetted on 1 January 1942.

Away from military duties, Hewett was an accomplished rugby player who represented his regiment and Harlequins. He died at Elmore, Gloucestershire, on 30 April 1973, leaving a record of distinguished leadership, frontline gallantry and decades of Army service.