Former Science Master at the Toowoomba Grammar School

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Studio portrait of THOMAS COSGRAVE HEWITT 26th Battalion Australian Infantry who died age 35 on 29 July 1916

Faithe Jones

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Captain Thomas C Hewitt, formerly science master at the Toowoomba Grammar School, was killed in action in France on July 20 1916.

The late Captain Hewitt, whose parents reside at Baulkham Hills, was educated at The King's School, Parramatta, and was a Bachelor of Arts of the Sydney University.

He was connected with the staff of the Toowoomba Grammar School from 1907 until March, 1915, when he enlisted. Captain Hewitt held a commission prior to enlisting, and had charge of the Grammar School cadets, and was also acting area officer for Toowoomba for some time.

He was attached to the 26th infantry battalion of the A.I.F., and saw about three months' service at Gallipoli. He arrived in France about March 29 last, and letters received by Mr. G. P. Barbour from Captain Hewitt last week stated that he (Captain Hewitt), at the time of writing, had charge of 200 yards of the front line trenches.

Captain 'Tom' Hewitt, as he was known to his many friends in Toowoomba, was very popular, both with the pupils of the Grammar School and the general public. He has also numerous friends in W.A., where, for some years, he belonged to the staff of the Guildford Grammar School, under the late Major W. Stewart Corr. He was unmarried, and was 35 years of age.

He was at The King's School for about four years, half the time under Dr. Harris, and two years with the Rev. A. H. Champion, so that his connection with Mr. Corr was considerably longer than the time spent in W.A. His younger brother, H. D. Hewitt, who is also an old boy of the school, is at present serving with the artillery in France.

An interesting memento of the war



Yesterday, we were shown by Mr. Stanley Hobson, an interesting, though somewhat depressing memento of the present war. This was in the form of a copy of "L'Organiste Moderne," a book containing elementary exercises for the organ. On the fly leaf of this volume was inscribed:— "Stanley Hobson, Esq., Toowoomba, with best wishes from Captain Tom Hewitt, 26th Battalion, A.I.F, France.

This volume was lying in the ruins of the Chapelle d'Armentiere among the debris of a fine organ.

"T.H." Captain Hewitt will be remembered as one of the Grammar School  Masters who was among the first to join the colours.

This little volume bears evidence of harsh treatment. In the top right hand corner there is a complete perforation by a bullet,  and several semi-perforations indicated the effect of shrapnel or other missiles. When received by Mr. Hobson the book was still damp from the exposure and bore adhesion of broken masonry.

Mr. Hobson is naturally very proud to be the possessor of the memento and is grateful for Captain Hewitt's remembrances.

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