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Mollie Smith (nee Houghton), 2007
Flight Sergeant Peter Derrick Hewitt

1864292 W.Op./Air Gunner 102 Squadron Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve)

the cemetery gates
The gates to the cemetery where Peter is buried.
Son of Mr Albert E & Mrs Grace Hewitt

Aged 20 years

Died 7th February 1945

Commemorated at Heverlee War Cemetery,
Belgium
Grave 1. G.6.

Peter Derrick Hewitt - was the only child of Grace and Albert Hewitt of Windmill Road Rushden.

His squadron was based at Pocklington, Yorkshire and Peter had successfully completed his tour of operations when he volunteered for one more mission.

The raid with 464 aircraft was to prepare the way for the attack of the British XXX Corps across the German frontier near the Reichswald. The raid was stopped after 155 aircraft had bombed, because smoke was causing control of the raid to become impossible. Only two Halifaxes were lost, including the one in which Peter was a crew member.

The gravestone
The gravestone
Derek & Miss Laughton
Evening Telegraph, Friday, 16th February 1945, transcribed by Clive Wood

A Soldiers Son - Airman killed in action

Flt. Sergt. Peter Derrick Hewitt, RAF of 13 Windmill Road, Rushden, has been reported killed in action and to have been buried with full military honours in Belgium. He was the only child of Mr & Mrs A E Hewitt and his father has been serving with the R.A.M.C. in Central Mediterranean theatre of war for the past 2½ years. News that he was missing believed killed reached his mother last Friday, and other news came through on Saturday and Monday.

Flt. Sergt Hewitt was 20 years of age and had been in the RAF for nearly two years. He was a wireless operator in a Halifax bomber. Before service he worked for Messrs B Denton and Son, Boot Manufacturers and was a member of the St Mary's Boy Scouts and the ATC. He was educated at the Intermediate School.

Sergt Hewitt was engaged to Miss G Laughton of 7 George Street, Higham Ferrers.


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