Thomas Hewitson

Killed in action on the 29th November 1917, this man appears to have re-enlisted after having been discharged.

Thomas  Hewitson was born in Cumnock in 1895 to John Robert Hewitson and Agnes Tanner. His mother died in 1900 and in 1901 he was living with his father and paternal grandparents in Dalry. His father married Agnes Porteous in December 1901 and the family returned to the area.

1901 census
Burnside St, Dalry

Thomas Hewitson             46 foreman railway platelayer b England

Hannah Hewitson             46

Sarah E Hewitson             19

William I Hewitson             16

Hannah Hewitson             7

Margaret Hewitson             Under 1 Mo

John Rob Hewitson             26 ironstone miner b England

Thomas P Hewitson             6  b O Cumnock

Mary B Hewitson             4 b Auchinleck

Campbell I Hewitson             2 b Auchinleck

Margar McGines             17

Happily his pension record survives.
He was born in Cumnock. He had enrolled in Ayr in the RSF no 11944 on 22nd August 1914 age 19. He was recruited by Sgt Armstrong of the RSF. He was a coal miner. On his medical examination he was 5 ft 6 and 3/8 inches with a chest measurement of 38 inches. His hair was brown and eyes hazel. He was discharged  after 53 days under King's regulations as "not likely to become an efficient soldier". No further details.

So how did he come to be in the HLI? There is no mention of his previous service on his medal roll card where I would expect to see it. I can only presume he re-enlisted and failed to mention he had been discharged. No doubt they were glad to have him as the war went on. He certainly was keen to do his bit.

He does not appear to have been awarded the 1914-5 Star either.

Ancestry

Name:	Thomas Hewitson
Birth Place:	Old Cumnock, Ayrshire
Residence:	Old Cumnock, Ayrshire
Death Date:	29 Nov 1917
Death Location:	France & Flanders
Enlistment Location:	Glasgow
Rank:	Private
Regiment:	Highland Light Infantry
Battalion:	15th (Service) Battalion (1st Glasgow)
Number:	22523
Type of Casualty:	Killed in action
Theatre of War:	Western European Theatre

CWGC

Cumnock Connections tree

His step-brother Hugh Porteous who was the same age also served in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and survived.

Cumnock Chronicle, added Oct 2018