WITH THE COLOURS. (1916, July 27). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74593603

HEWITT.-On 11th July, at Australian Hospital, from gunshot wounds in France, Rupert Morton (Sergeant A.I.F.). dearly loved younger son of Joseph and Emma A. Hewitt, loved brother of Ernest (Lieutenant, Commonwealth Military Forces, Sydney), Constance and Winnifred, "Taleri," Wright street, Essendon; aged 27 years. Cabled-"Dear Rupert died gloriously; buried military honours. Beloved, it is well.

Family Notices. (1916, July 27). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved February 4, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74593579

Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiries Bureau Correspondence

D/W 11.7.1916

I knew Sgt Hewitt; his initials were R M and his number 2661.  He was in B.VI.  Whilst in London I was told by several Sgts including Sgt K R Jarvie, that they had seen him blown to bits by a shell in July, about the 25th.  They said they saw it happen and were quite sure it was he.  I do not know if he was buried.

Reference:  Sgt L C O'Connor 2501 (Reliable witness)
18 Gen
Etaples 23.10.16

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I saw him badly wounded in the trench at Messines.  A shell hit the dug-out and wounded several others as well. He lay there for a day.  We couldn't get him down the communication trench by daylight, but I took him down to the C/S next night.  I do not know what became of him afterwards.

Reference:  Cpl Brown 1021  C Coy
Eo 1 ADBD
Etaples 3.11.16

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Sergt W Mills of the same battalion, B co, now with his unit knows particulars about Hewitt.

Informant: L/Cpl G A Wardle 2470
5th Australians, B Co
No 1 Gen Hos, Etretat

Written Sgt Mills 28.4.16

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I saw him wounded at Messines on 27.6.16/  His arm was badly shattered by H E while he was in the trench.  The arm had to be amputated and he died 3 days later.  I do not know where he is buried.

Reference Sgt J Milroy 339, B Co
1 ADBD
Etaples 24.11.16

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He belonged to D Co.  I saw him after he had been wounded early in July at Messines, during the bombardment.  a shell had burst near him, and badly wounded him.  He was lying on the stretcher when I saw him.  I heard next morning he had died of wounds.  He must be buried in the cemetery at Messines.
Reference:  Pte J Fanning 2630 C Co
No 1 ADBD, Etaples
8.12.1916

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Informant states that about the middle of July 1916 at Messines Ridge, Sgt Hewitt was wounded in the chest by a shell.  It was about midnight.  I saw him the next day lying in a dugout.  He was taken to the dressing station at Messines, about 23rd July.  I heard that he had died at Etaples, and he would probably be buried there

Information  Cpl E C Cross 2594
7th AIF
Colmore Rd, Hospt
King's Heath
Birmingham.
Home address: Barr St, Gungamah, Vic

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This sergeant was badly wounded in the shoulder the same morning as myself, but I have heard or seen nothing of him since I was taken out of the trenches on 26th June 1916.  I have heard that he died of wounds, but I cannot find anybody who can say so officially.

Reference:  Kenneth R Jarvie, Sergt
7th Batt B Coy
No 1 Group, Worgret Camp
Wareham  22.12.16

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I knew Sgt Hewitt but no personally, he was wounded badly in the shoulder and arm at Messines Road between the 25/6/16 and29/6/16.  I heard some time after he was wounded that he had lost his arm and not long after that I heard he died.  You asked me for a short description of him.  I will do my best.  Rube Hewitt was in B Coy, 7th Batt, AIF and was Lance Sergeant.  He was tall, about 5 ft 11 ins, dark, rather well built.  I would take him to be about 23 years of age.

Cert by letter from Sgt W A Hills, 386
7th Batt AIF
Norfolk War Hospital
Thorpe, Norwich
31/12/16

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