Summary

Group portrait of Australian servicemen of the 2nd Reinforcements, 57th Battalion, A. I. F., circa 1916.

Acquired with a collection of material associated with the World War I service of Thomas Hewitt, who was born in Ballarat.

Thomas Joseph Hewitt, service #1937, was a 23-year-old linotype operator when he enlisted on 13 March 1916 in Melbourne to fight in World War I. He was placed in 57th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements (part of the 2 to 5 Reinforcements raised April-September 1916), and embarked on 8 July 1916 on the HMAT Ajana. (His attestation papers initially record 2nd Reinforcements, which is amended to 3rd).

By December Thomas was in France, and on 23 December was taken on strength in the 58th Battalion. On 12 May 1917, the 58th Battalion was in the Hindenberg Line during the Battle of Bullecourt (3-17 May 1917). The Unit Diary reported 'Enemy heavies shelling area in rear of our lines...numerous casualties occured...fierce hand to hand fighting with rifle and bombs...[after 4.30pm] sector was again vigorously shelled for two hours...During the twenty-four hours the trenches were greatly destroyed. Almost all the posts were blown out...' Special stretcher parties were requested to clear the wounded, which they completed by midnight. Hewitt received a shell wound to head that caused a compound fracture of his skull, and paralysis to his right leg. He was sent to England and admitted to the National Hospital on 23 May, and remained there until 12 September, when he was transferred to hospital in Dartford. His doctor was Dr Farenridge, an Australian. Hewitt was sent back to Australia on 31 October 1917, and spent time recovering in the Caulfield Military Hospital. He was discharged on 2 February 1918 on the grounds of being medically unfit. He lived to the age of 91 years.

Museum Victoria holds two photographs of Hewitt in hospital as well as several personal effects.

Description of Content

Group portrait of Australian servicemen of the 2nd Reinforcements 57th Battalion, A. I. F., circa 1916.

Physical Description

Black and white photograph mounted on grey board.

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