Military Funeral

‘Southern Argus’, Wagin, Western Australia. November 1, 1919

The sudden death of Mr. James Philip Hewlett, on Tuesday morning from Chronic tuberculosis and heart failure, came as a shock to the town, and many expressions of sympathy for the bereaved wife and family were made.

The flags of the town and the returned soldiers’ flag were half-masted, and at the meeting of the Municipal Council on Tuesday night in adjournment for an interval was made in respect of the memory of the deceased, who had for various periods been on the municipal staff.

Mr. J. P. Hewlett (Hoyle) has a long service to his credit for King and Country, both in the navy and the army. He held a naval medal, and was, at the outbreak of the war, a naval reservist. He also held the South African medal for that campaign. Although over age he succeeded in enlisting in the A.I.F, and, with his knowledge as a hospital orderly, proved his usefulness during the Great War. He died at the age of 54 years and leaves a wife and two sons to mourn his loss.

The Funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon at St. George’s Church, and was largely attended by his comrades, who accorded him a military funeral. The firing party, in charge of Lieut. P. Doig and Sgt. W. Turner, consisted of Privates J. Barry, G.F. Old, E.P. Byrne, D.Y. Byrne and J.M. Holland. The pall-bearers were – Privates J. Watkins, Jack Harvey, F. Stevens, J. Williams, C. Carrington, D. Pearce. The solemn notes of the Last Post were sounded by Mr. Baker during the volley firing at the end of the service, conducted by the Rev. T.E. Brewis.

Floral tributes were sent by Mr. and Mrs. Austin Piesse, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Smith, Mr. and Mrs. T.E. Bates, Mr. and Mrs. Brandenburg, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Piesse and family, Mr. and Mrs. Cox and Mabel and Mrs. Sweet, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Piesse and family, Mr. and Mrs. Chellew, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Smith and family, Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Absolon, Mr. and Mrs. Davey.

The Funeral arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. Morris and Parkes.