Hobart boy died in a dugout collapse in France during World War I
PASTRYCOOK Benjamin Hewett served the war years in Egypt and France as a driver and artilleryman. He would never return home to Hobart.
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PASTRYCOOK Benjamin Hewett served the war years in Egypt and France as a driver and artilleryman. He would never return home to Hobart.
Just 18 when he enlisted in August 1915, he died of suffocation in a dugout collapse less than 18 months later.
This was a common danger for artillery soldiers and was often the result of ammunition explosions.
Ben was born in Hobart in August 1897, the second-youngest child of John and Ada Hewett. After leaving the Elizabeth St school he gained an apprenticeship as a pastry cook with the Newman Arnold Biscuit Factory, working with his brother Jack.
He enlisted on August 17, 1915, and sailed for Egypt that October to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. In March 1916 he was transferred to the British Expeditonary Force at Marseilles, France, joining the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade in May.
He was serving with that unit when he died in the field on November 9, 1916. His body was recovered from the dugout collapse and buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery in Mametz, France.
Ben’s personal effects were later sent to his family at 75 Campbell St, Hobart. His sister wrote to the army about a wristlet-watch she had given her brother but his service records do not indicate whether this was located.
Ben’s grieving father later wrote to ask whether the family would receive Ben’s kit bag, as others had done, but he was told the bag was government property.
Driver Benjamin Joseph Hewett is commemorated at tree 171 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue and on honour boards at the Hobart Town Hall, Elizabeth College and Scots Memorial Uniting Church, Hobart.