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Hewlett, Colin Roy

    Date of death:
    December 12th, 1942
    Buried on:
    Commonwealth War Graves St. John the Baptist Churchyard
    Plot: NE. Row: 1. Grave: 103.
    Service number:
    748732/69438
    Nationality:
    British

    Biography

    Colin Roy Hewlett joined the RAFVR about June 1939 as an airman u/t pilot. He was called up on September 1st, and he completed his training. On August 7th, 1940 he joined No. 65 Squadron at Hornchurch, serving with it throughout the Battle of Britain.
    In June 1941, Hewlett was still with No. 65 Squadron in 1942, when Scharnhorst and Gneisenau made their channel dash on February 12th. The squadron fought with German fighter cover and Hewlett shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109. He also flew during the Dieppe Operation.

    Colin was 22 when he was killed
    Promotions:
    ?: Sergeant;
    June 26th, 1941: Pilot Officer on probation;
    June 26th, 1942: Pilot Officer;
    June 26th, 1942: flying Officer (war subs.).

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Flight Lieutenant
    Unit:
    No. 65 (East India) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    November 3rd, 1942
    Awarded for:
    Operation Jubilee
    Citation:
    "This officer has completed a large number of sorties. He is a skilful flight commander whose leadership has proved most inspiring. In the combined operations at Dieppe on the 19th August, 1942 Flight Lieutenant Hewlett flew with distinction."
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

    Sources

    • Photo 1: Michael Locke
    • - The London Gazette of 18th July 1941, Issue 35222
      - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 25th August 1942, Issue 35682, dated 28th August 1942
      - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 30th October 1942, Issue 35768, dated 3rd November 1942
      - Commonwealth War Graves Commission

    Photo