Alfred first appears on a census in 1891. He was living with his family all of whom had been born in Connah’s Quay. They lived in Golftyn Street Connah’s Quay where the head of the household was Stephen Hewitt age 37 and a Pilot (seas). His wife was Sarah E 37. The children listed were Stephen J 12, Joseph 11, Eliz Ann 9, William 8, Alfred 6, Kate 4, George 2 and Albert 2 months.
The next census of 1901 shows the family living at 29 Church Street Connah’s Quay. The household consisted of Elizabeth Hewitt 47, wife. The children at home were E Ann 19, W Hewitt 17 a General Labourer, Alfred Hewitt 16, also a General Labourer, Kate 14, George 12, Albert 11 and Charles 7. The father Stephen was at sea. (see below) (Presume that Elizabeth Hewitt was the same wife as the previous census where she was listed as Sarah E ?)
In 1901 Stephen Hewitt was ‘Master’ aboard the ‘Lavinia Smith’ which was off Colwyn Bay. There were two others aboard with him. Edward Hewitt and David Price, both ‘crew’.
On the 24th December 1908 at St. Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay Alfred was to marry Mary A. Manston, 23, a spinster from 9, Waterloo Road, and who’s father was a Commercial Traveller. he was 24 and a Bachelor and Labourer, who’s address was 22, Golftyn Street, his father Stephen Hewitt.
By the 1911 census 26 year old Alfred was living at 32 Golftyn Street with his wife of two years, Alice Mary Hewitt and their 5 month old daughter Irene. His occupation was listed as ‘manure works’
(Point of interest. Alfred’s parents Stephen and Sarah Elizabeth who had been married for 35 years and had produced 10 children all of whom survived, were living at 22 Golftyn Street. At home with them were their sons Albert 20 and Charles 17 who both worked in the iron works but their son George 21 was listed as a cripple and was to die in 1916, so their grief was compounded when they lost Alfred.).
Uk Soldiers who Died in the Great War 1914 -19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental details above and adds that he enlisted in Shotton.
Alfred Hewitt in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 tells us his first Theatre of War was France and he entered it on the 2nd December 1915.
There is an index card for Alfred in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. The address given is 32 Golftyn Street, Connah’s Quay. It confirms his regiment and number and it adds that he served from 19th November 1914 to his death. It says he was Killed in Action (Ypres) in 1916. The card is signed by A.M Jones. On the reverse of the card someone has written, ‘The soldier was the late husband of Mrs A N Jones’.
Alfred Hewitt in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the sole Legatee was his widow Mary Alice Hewitt who was paid £1. 12s 2d on the 19th October 1916 and then his War Gratuity of £7.0s 0d on the 11th September 1919 when she was then Mrs. Mary A. Jones*.
*Mary Alice had remarried at St. Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay on the 23rd March 1918 to Samuel Charles Jones, a Widower and Mariner, age 43, he had lived at 34, Cestrian Street, his father was John, also a Mariner. Mary Alice, 32, widow, was living at 32, Golftyn Street and her father was Alfred John Manston, a Commercial Traveller. Witnesses were Jonathan and Annie Florence Bennett.
Alfred is remembered on the Memorial Plaque at St Mark’s Church Connah’s Quay.
Alfred is commemorated on a family grave in Connah’s Quay cemetery. The inscriptions are as follows,
In Loving memory of George, beloved Son of Stephen and Sarah Elizabeth Hewitt
Who Died July 31st 1916 aged 27 years
Also Alfred their son was Killed in action
While serving in France July 11th 1916 aged 33 years
‘Thy Will be Done’
Also the above Stephen Hewitt who Died Oct 4th 1921 aged 66 years
‘A Loving father true and kind,
a beautiful memory left behind’.
also Sarah Elizabeth wife of the above who died Oct 8th 1925 aged 71 yrs.
‘In the midst of Life we are in death’
(Connah’s Quay Cemetery, Monumental Stones Volume 1 Page 46 JR6 -79)
In the County Herald dated 8th September 1916 (Page 2) among the list of Casualties of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers was (Killed) Hewitt, A. 18243.
