Regimental History
Victoria Cross Holders of the King's Own Royal Regiment
Lance Corporal James Hewitson VC
Victoria Cross awarded to Lance Corporal James Hewitson, number
15833, 1st/4th (Territorial Force) Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster
Regiment
James Hewitson was born at Thwaite Farm, Coniston, on 5th October 1892.
Educated at Coniston CE School, he enlisted in the 8th (Service)
Battalion King’s Own on 17th November 1914 and later transferred to the
1/4th Battalion (Territorial Force). Lance-Corporal Hewitson won his
Victoria Cross near Givenchy on 26th April 1918 and was recommended on
8th May for the award, which was published in the London Gazette of 28th
June 1918.
“For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and daring action. In a
daylight attack on a series of crater posts L/Cpl Hewitson led his party
to their objective with dash and vigour, clearing the enemy from both
trench and dugouts, killing in one dugout six of the enemy who would not
surrender. After capturing the final objective, he observed a hostile
machine-gun team coming into action against his men. Working his way
round the edge of the crater he attacked the team, killing four and
capturing one. Shortly afterwards he engaged a hostile bombing party
which was attacking a Lewis gun post; he routed the party, killing six
of them. The extraordinary feats of daring performed by this gallant
non-commissioned officer crushed the hostile opposition at this point.”
Promoted to Corporal, Hewitson received his VC from King George V in
France on 8th August, 1918 and returned home to a civic welcome in
Coniston. Until his death, on 2nd March 1963, James Hewitson lived and
worked in Coniston and is buried in the parish churchyard.
Lance Corporal James Hewitson VC
Accession Number: KO1360/04
Presentation of the Victoria Cross to Lance Corporal James Hewitson VC
by HM King George V on 8th August 1918.
Accession Number: KO2638/02
Corporal James Hewitson VC on board a ship on the way to France in 1921.
Accession Number: KO2295/01
Corporal James Hewitson VC at the 1922 Old Comrades Association Re-union
Dinner in 1922.
Accession Number: KO0012/30
Corporal Hewitson's tunic, showing four overseas service chevrons and
four wound stripes on the sleeves, along with the medal ribbons for the
Victoria Cross, 1914/15 Star, British War and Allied Victory Medals.
The uniform is on permanent display in the King's Own Museum.
Accession Number: KO1703/01
Corporal Hewitson's Service Dress cap. On permanent display in the
King's Own Museum.
Accession Number: KO1703/02
Grave of James Hewitson VC in Coniston churchyard, Cumbria.
Accession Number: KO1360/02
Only a proportion of our collections
are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display
in other institutions. An appointment is required to consult any of
our collections which are held in store.
