British WW1 BWM to 63605 Pte. F. W. Hewlett N.Z.E.F - 1st Batt, Otago Infantry Regt
A single, full size, British War Medal impressed to 63605 Private Frederick Walter Hewlett, N.Z.E.F.
Fred lists his occupation prior to enlistment as a Barman for the Mildland Hotel, Wellington (the Hotel stood on the corner of Lambton Quay and Johnston Street, near Kirkcaldie and Stains department store. Built on the site of the Oxford Family Hotel and then the Club in 1866. The hotel was demolished 1982 and the site developed by the Wellington City Council as Midland Park). He lists his next of kin as his Mother, who was living at Northwestern Terrance, Newton Place, St Michaels Hill, Birmingham, England.
Fred started his service on the 22nd of Aug 1917 with H Company, 32nd New Zealand Rifle Brigade Reinforcements, but transferred on the 7th of Sept 1917 to F Company, 32nd Infantry Reinforcements. He would spend 1 year and 232 days overseas with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, as part of 1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment.
Embarked at Wellington 21st of Nov 1917 on Troop Transport 96 - SS Maunganui.
Disembarked at Liverpool on the 8th of Jan 1918.
Marched into Sling Camp the same day and posted to the Reserve Regt of the Otago Infantry Regiment.
Left for France on the 4th of March 1918.
Joined the 2nd NZ Entrenching Battalion on the 30th of March 1918.
Joined the 1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment on the 20th of April 1918.
Attached to No. 3 NZFA in the field on the 12th of May 1918.
Rejoined 1st Batt, Otago Infantry Regt on the 23rd of May 1918.
To Hospital, sick - 25th of May 1918.
Detached to NZ Details 3rd of June 1918.
Rejoined his unit same day.
Wounded - self inflicted on the 8th of Aug 1918. His Commanding Officer notes that Fred stated that he went to "clean" the rifle, after removing it off the wall. He had started to cleaned around the back sight, went it went "off" and shot him in the right foot, 3rd toe.
He was charged under Court Martial for "Negligently Wounding" himself. He pleaded "Not Guilty" as he states he did not know that the rifle was loaded. The Army found him "Guilty" as charged and he was sentenced to 90 days Field Punishment No. 2.
He was held for 48 days while awaiting trial and his sentence was confirmed by Brigadier General R Young on the 20th of Sept 1918.
Discharged back to his unit on the 27th of October 1918.
Admitted to Hospital at Estaples with Influenza on the 30th of October and 2nd of November 1918.
Its noted on his record that he served with the Army of Occupation in Germany after the end of the war.
On the 10th of April 1919, he was demobbed and discharged in the UK. He did NOT return to New Zealand.
He was also awarded a Victory Medal for his service, but sadly I do not know the location of it.
The Medal is in good, uncleaned condition, with a length of correct, replacement ribbon attached.