Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30284, Victoria Cross,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30284/supplements/9532. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- Second Lieutenant Denis George Wyldbore Hewitt, late Hampshire Regiment. For most conspicuous bravery, and devotion to duty when in command of a Company in attack. On 31st July 1917 north-east of Ypres, Belgium, when his first objective had been captured he reorganised the Company and moved forward towards his objective. While waiting for the barrage to lift he was hit by a piece of shell, which exploded the signal lights in his haversack, and set fire to his equipment and clothes. Having extinguished the flames, in spite of his wound and the severe pain he was suffering, he led forward the remains of the Company under very heavy machine-gun fire, and captured and consolidated his objective. He was subsequently killed by a sniper while inspecting the consolidation and encouraging his men. This gallant Officer set a magnificent example of coolness and contempt of danger to the whole Battalion, and it was due to his splendid leading that the final objective of his Battalion was gained.
Fold3_Team · Oct 31, 2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30284, Victoria Cross,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30284/supplements/9532. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- Second Lieutenant Denis George Wyldbore Hewitt, late Hampshire Regiment. For most conspicuous bravery, and devotion to duty when in command of a Company in attack. On 31st July 1917 north-east of Ypres, Belgium, when his first objective had been captured he reorganised the Company and moved forward towards his objective. While waiting for the barrage to lift he was hit by a piece of shell, which exploded the signal lights in his haversack, and set fire to his equipment and clothes. Having extinguished the flames, in spite of his wound and the severe pain he was suffering, he led forward the remains of the Company under very heavy machine-gun fire, and captured and consolidated his objective. He was subsequently killed by a sniper while inspecting the consolidation and encouraging his men. This gallant Officer set a magnificent example of coolness and contempt of danger to the whole Battalion, and it was due to his splendid leading that the final objective of his Battalion was gained.