Single: QUEENS SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1899 three clasps "CC, OFS, T" Impressed 1402 PTE. J. T. HEWITT. VICTORIAN M.R.
Note: Medal roll states service with the Left Wing, 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles who was under the command of Major McKnight.
Major William McKnight and his men were involved in what some refer to as the original betrayal of the British command against Australian soldiers with troopers James Steele, Arthur Richards and Herbert Parry being sentenced to death. This led to Major McKnight calling General Beatson to account for his 'gross insults'. A belated apology by the General was curtly refused by McKnight. It must be remembered that just prior to this the Regimental Surgeon Herbert Palmer and 18 NCOs or men were killed at Wilmansrust, with a further five officers and 36 NCOs or men also being wounded. This incident is an extremely important event involving Lord Kitchener, The prime minister and even the King and had a huge part in Australia eventually taking control of its own troops.
In 1910 Trooper Hewitt appears to have moved to western Australia with the Daily News (Western Australian Newspaper) mentioning him as a new member of the South African Soldiers Association of WA (Wednesday 7th September 1910).
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