Hewson Street died of wounds on this day in 1918

Hewson Street was born 14 September 1893 at Osbournby, Lincolnshire.His parents were George Henry Street (a blacksmith) and Eliza Dixon Street (née Thorpe).

Hewson was raised in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire.

At the 1901 Census, age 7, Hewson was at home living on Witham Road, Woodhall Spa with his parents, older sister, Elsie, and two younger siblings Sydney and Eunice, his grandmother and a blacksmith apprentice to his father.  He went to school at the Church of England School, Woodhall Spa.

At the 1911 Census, age 17, Hewson was a shoeing and 'general smith', like his father and was living at home. His 18 year old sister was a school teacher. As well as his parents, his 76 year old maternal grandmother was living with them

Hewson joined the 4th Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment as a private later that year. He was called up 5 August 1914 and served in France and Flanders from the following February. In April 1915, he was invalided home ill.

He gained a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in July 1916 and rose quickly through the ranks and was promoted Captain in July 1917. He returned to France and was attached to the 7th South Lancashire Regiment where he was appointed Lewis Gun Officer.

On 28 April 1918, he was attached to 10th Worcestershire Regiment where he took command of C Company. The Battalion was at rest in camp when the Germans broke through at Soissons. They were called out and Capt. Hewson was severely wounded on the Marne on 30 May and taken prisoner. He died of his wounds in captivity on 01 June 1917.

He was originally buried in Courville French Military Cemetery but, in 1919, his grave was concentrated to Marfaux British Cemetery.

Hewson Street was three times mentioned in despatches and received the MC and bar.

The original memorial was shattered beyond repair in 1981. In 1990, aged 80, Hewson's sister Brenda paid for a replacement memorial at a cost of £300.

Find out more with your local Western Front Association Branch: Lincoln & North Lincolnshire.

Further Reading: The Barnetby Boys: A North Lincolnshire Town At War

Captain Hewson Street, Lincolnshire Regiment, attached 10th (Service) Bn The Worcestershire Regiment.