John was born in Hackney in late 1903 to parents Joseph William Hewson and Emily and was baptised soon after on 25th October at St Mary of Eton Church in Hackney. He was the youngest of 3 boys: Joseph Philip was 4 years older and Leonard David was 2 years older. The family were living at 79 New Windsor Road.
By the time of the 1911 Census, John had moved with his family to 25 Springfield, East Ham. His father was employed as a life insurance agent.
We know very little about John’s service in the Army. He served as a Boy Soldier with the Royal Horse Artillery, Service number 282692 and it is doubtful that he saw any service in a war zone due to his age.
On the 14th August 1919, aged 15, John died of Spanish Flu in Kitchener Hospital in Brighton, one of the many temporary military hospitals set up in the war to deal with the casualties. At the time of his death his family were living at 20 Springfield Road, Welling and he was buried six days later at St. Michael’s Church, East Wickham.
John was honoured by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as a soldier who had given his life in the war. The address given by the CWGC at this time was 20 Springfield Road, Welling, Kent.
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