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A Prince Alfred's Guardsman in the Natal Police - George Arthur Hewitt 7 years 11 months ago #53753
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George Arthur Hewitt
Private, Prince Alfred’s Volunteer Guard – Anglo Boer War Trooper, Natal Police, Bambatha Rebellion - Queens South Africa Medal with clasp Cape Colony to 1684 Pte. G.A. Hewitt, Prince Alf. Vol. Gds. - Natal Medal (Bambatha) with 1906 clasp to Tpr. G.A. Hewitt, Natal Police George Hewitt was born in Wavertree, Lancashire in 1879 the son of Frank Hewitt, a Railway Breaksman by occupation and his wife Eliza. At the time of the 1881 England census a 2 year old George (initially called Arthur as per his middle name) was at home with his mother, father and younger brother Harold 44 Moorgate Street in West Derby, Liverpool. Ten years later, at the time of the 1891 England census the family had moved to Birkenhead in Cheshire where Mr Hewitt was now working as a Carter. The family home was at 157 St. Anne Street, Birkenhead and George was now a 12 year old schoolboy followed by Harold (11) and younger brother and new addition Arthur (probably the reason why he was known as George once more) Like many young men of his era Hewitt came to the realisation that to get ahead he would have to leave the comfort of his home and spread his wings. Great Britain was, in those days, exactly that – an Empire whose presence was felt in every corner of the globe. The sky was literally the limit for those with an adventurous spirit and Hewitt chose, as his destination, the sunny climes of South Africa. Settling in the Eastern Cape part of the country he appears to have chosen Port Elizabeth (previously known as Algoa Bay) as his springboard. Every town worth its name had a local militia unit or regiment to which young men flocked. Belonging to one of these created not only a kindred spirit among them but was also an occasion to socialise and meet fellows of their age and inclinations. The Port Elizabeth local regiment was the Prince Alfred’s Volunteer Guards – so named after one of Queen Victoria’s sons. Soon after the Anglo Boer War commenced in October 1899 Hewitt enlisted and was deployed on garrison duties in and around Port Elizabeth – the fear being very real that the Boer forces would work their way south sweeping all before them. It became apparent that there was a dire need for more than just infantry men and the Mounted portion of the Prince Alfred's Guard came into being formed from the Prince Alfred's Own Volunteer Rifles on 11 Feb 1900 from two sections of the infantry and detached from the infantry portion from that date. During the time it was detached from the infantry headquarters, it was regarded as a separate unit - except with regards to drawing pay. It was to this body of men that Hewitt belonged. Their exploits were many but Hewitt’s war was to be one confined to the Cape Colony and not sallying forth with his comrades into the Orange Free State and Transvaal hunting down the elusive Boer commandos. Assigned no 1684 and the rank of Trooper he was to see service with them until taking his discharge on 16 October 1901. For his efforts he was awarded the Queens Medal with Cape Colony clasp. The Boer War over on 31 May 1902 Hewitt set his sights east and headed for Natal where he joined the Natal Border Police - a temporary unit, which was established to keep the peace in the new territory known as the Utrecht-Vryheid district of the Transvaal which was annexed to Natal in late 1902. His stay there wasn’t destined to be a long one as the unit was disbanded and, on 11 July 1903 he presented himself at the headquarters of the Natal Police in Pietermaritzburg where he enlisted for service with that illustrious body. Assigned no. 3064 and the rank of Trooper he provided his mother, Mrs E. Hewitt of 5 Brook Place, Birkenhead as his next of kin. Having seen action in the Boer War Hewitt would not have dreamt that ere long he would be taking up arms again – on this occasion against a very different foe. Natal after the Boer War was cash-strapped and in desperate need of revenue. The powers-that-be hit upon the novel idea of imposing a poll tax on the head of every black male in the Colony aged 18 and below. The amount of £1 per head levied in this manner was calculated to relieve their fiscal distress. The idea was grudgingly accepted by the Zulu chiefs and Indunas in the main but there was resistance. This was artfully exploited by a young hothead and minor chief called Bambatha who went about the land fomenting revolt and inciting others to open defiance and rebellion. The magistrates, with an escort of Natal Policemen, were tasked with collecting this tax and, in one instance, two policemen were murdered whilst executing their duties. The Natal Militia were called out in early 1906 but, after a short while, the rebellion subsided and they were stood down only to be called out again in greater number when Bambatha, who had been recruiting support in Zululand, showed his hand. The Natal Police, Hewitt included, were part of the force that eventually brought Bambatha and his men to book – in the densely forested Mome Gorge in Zululand – here the Natal men surrounded the Zulu force opening fire with both rifle and cannon until the Zulu were decimated and Bambatha’s severed head was bought out as proof of his demise. With this the rebellion fizzled out and the men were allowed to return to their normal duties. For his efforts Hewitt was awarded the Natal Medal with 1906 clasp. Back “on the beat” Hewitt was considered for promotion and re-engaged on 11 July 1908 – 5 years after he had commenced duty. Stationed at Headquarters in Pietermaritzburg he was not always the model policeman. There are two entries in his Defaulters Sheet – in February 1909 while stationed at Greytown he was absent without leave twice – firstly on 2 February 1909 when he returned late from pass and was confined to barracks for 14 days by Inspector Lyttle. Secondly, and shortly after completing his first punishment, he went absent without leave on the night of 19/20 February, for which he was confined to barracks for 10 days by Inspector Dimmick. On 1 April 1910 Hewitt transferred to the Gaol Department stationed at the Point Prison in Durban where he was to remain for the rest of his tenure. After 1913 he was transferred to the newly-created South African Prisons Department and on 6 April 1914 was granted permission to marry Florence Lilian Fleming a 25 year old lady living at 318 Point Road, Durban. This ceremony took place at Christ Church – Hewitt was described as being a 35 year old prison Warder. The long awaited promotion came on 1 July 1918 when he was appointed Head Warder (which entitled him to an extra 6/- per day) but on 19 December 1919 he was reduced to the rank of Warder – the reason for this demotion not being recorded. Seven months later he would appear to have ingratiated himself with his superiors and, on 20 July 1920 was promoted to 1st Class Warder the rank he was to retire with on 30 November 1922. No doubt in celebration of his enhanced status Hewitt and his wife undertook a sea voyage to England returning to South Africa aboard the Kenilworth Castle from Southampton on 5 November 1920. He is listed on the ship’s manifest as being a Warder. The Hewitt’s had no children and when George Arthur passed away at Addington Hospital in Durban on 20 August 1945 at the age of 66 years 10 months he left his wife all alone at their residence 95 McCord Road, Overport, Durban. She in turn passed away on 31 January 1964. 
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A Prince Alfred's Guardsman in the Natal Police - George Arthur Hewitt 7 years 11 months ago #53756
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A very interesting account. Many thanks, Rory. Great pictures too BTW
 Dr David Biggins
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