Author Topic: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943  (Read 13630 times)

grimmy

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3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« on: April 11, 2011, 11:28:54 AM »
Just discovered another relative in the Mancs:

3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn.

Born: Fleetwood, 1916, son of Harry Hewkin (b.Oldham) and Hilda (nee Wadsworth).
Unmarried.
Died: 12-6-1943.
Buried: Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand.

Can anyone recommend what I should read to find out more?

Thanks.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2011, 11:34:12 AM by grimmy »

Offline rafboy

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2011, 01:01:15 PM »
Hi grimmy, go to the Forum Home page and scroll down to Photos and Postcards Project then click on the following in sequence:
Photos and Postcards by Battalion; Far East Photos; Changi and pictures from the Far East; Scroll down and you will see an example of a POW Record Card, these are held at the National Archive Kew.  I have copies of quite a lot provided by Roy (themonsstar) unfortunately I dont have your relatives.  If you ask Roy nicely he may try to find it and copy it for you on his next visit.

There is quite a bit of information in the Archive of the Manchester Regiment Museum, I have extracts from a couple of documents with my fathers name on them but again not your relatives he will be on another page.  The documents you want extracts from are: 1st Bn Campaign Malaya 1941 - 42 reference MR1/3/1/15 and 1st Bn Nominal Roll reference MR1/8/13.  Also available for a small fee is another document well worth getting hold of it is: First Battalion THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT Malaya, Thailand, Burma 1939 ~ 1945.  Your relative is listed in the Roll of Honour on page 27 as 3529515 Pte F. E. Hewkin Kuie Thailand 12.6.43.

Several books have been published on the fall of Singapore and Japanese POW's one that may be of interest was written by Arthur Lane who was a drummer with the Battalion at the time, the title is "One God Too Many Devils"  ISBN 1-872518-00-1  it is out of print but you may find a copy in a second hand book shop.  I am in touch with Arthur and will ask him if he can recall anything about your relative.  For more on Arthur Lane see: http://www.fepow-community.org.uk/arthur_lane/

Hope this helps.

Cliff
« Last Edit: September 27, 2020, 11:11:56 PM by rafboy »
Cliff P Son of 3525679 Sgt Arthur Phillips 1st Bn Manchester Regiment and RAPC

grimmy

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2011, 02:09:44 PM »
Many thanks Cliff. That's most helpful.

I personally don't have any photos, but some close relatives of Frank's in Fleetwood may have.

Offline themonsstar

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2011, 09:18:10 AM »
Here is the page from the Roll of Honour at Manchester Cathedral.


I will have look at my Jap PoW files later to see if I have anything on Frank.

grimmy

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2011, 04:11:13 PM »
Many thanks.

Offline pete th

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2011, 04:25:59 PM »
Grimmy, there is an excellent short history of the 1st Battalion on Tameside council's website, in particular, their time in captivity:

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mom/history/1919-1945

Cheers
Pete
Remembering

Pte Sidney Lee (36719), 2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regt - dow 18.02.17
Sgt Charles Roberts (13668), 11th Bn, Manchester Regiment - kia 18.05.18
Bombardier John Hesford (70065), 147th Heavy Battery, RGA dow - 04.09.18
Pte Sidney Lee (4131324), 8th Bn, Cheshire Regiment -  kia 12.03.41

Offline themonsstar

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2011, 04:33:27 AM »
Here is his pages from his Courts Martirl held at No 1 PoW Camp Changi  Singapore1942.

He was CM on 1/5/1942 and found Not Guilty.

Offline themonsstar

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2011, 04:34:17 AM »
next

Offline themonsstar

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2011, 06:41:51 AM »
Jap PoW lists do after the war.

Offline themonsstar

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2011, 06:45:33 AM »
PoW list done at the Camp No 1 Singapore.

grimmy

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2011, 11:06:15 AM »
Amazing stuff, men. Harrowing reading, though, whichever way you look at it. And amidst all the horrendous suffering the wheels of bureaucracy still turn. Ah well.

I'll try and make contact with his close relatives - I'll bet they have no idea these details have survived (as indeed I didn't).

I'm very grateful.


Offline rafboy

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2011, 11:17:23 AM »
Hi Grimmy, I received the following reply from Arthur Lane:
"Frank Wadsworth Hewkin was one of those who joined the battalion in Palestine Late September 1939, I can’t remember anything of a special nature. He probably died in Kule camp which was abandoned in August before the railway was completed".
Arthurs book One God ....  covers the period in Palestine as well as in captivity.
Cliff
Cliff P Son of 3525679 Sgt Arthur Phillips 1st Bn Manchester Regiment and RAPC

grimmy

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2011, 02:16:40 PM »
Many thanks, Cliff (and Arthur). That book sounds like essential reading.

grimmy

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #13 on: February 22, 2012, 04:40:06 PM »
Frank Wadsworth Hewkin

grimmy

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Re: 3529515 Pte Frank Wadsworth Hewkin, 1st Bn, died 12-6-1943
« Reply #14 on: February 22, 2012, 04:41:55 PM »
Picture taken c.1941. Frank Wadsworth Hewkin is on the back row, 4th from left.