The Victoria Cross
Awarded to Men of Portsmouth
- Sir William Nathan Wrighte Hewett VC -

Location of Grave:
Highland Road Cemetery (See map)
O/S: SZ 658 988.
 
SIR WILLIAM NATHAN WRIGHTE HEWETT, V.C.
VICE ADMIRAL
ROYAL NAVY (NAVAL BRIGADE).
MEDAL WON: CRIMEA 26 October 1854.
GAZETTED: 24 February 1857.
BORN: Brighton 12 August 1834.
DIED: RNH HASLAR 13 May 1888.
MEDAL: NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, GREENWICH.
OTHER AWARDS: KCB., KCSI.
 
Details of Award:
On the occasion of a repulse of a sortie of Russians by Sir De Lacy Evans Division on the 26th October, 1854, Mr. Hewett, then Acting Mate, of Her Majesty's Ship Beagle, was in charge of the Right Lancaster Battery before Sebastopol. The advance of the Russians placed the gun in great jeopardy, their skirmishers advancing within 300 yards of the Battery, and pouring in a sharp fire from their Minie rifles. By some misapprehension the word was passed to spike his gun and retreat; but Mr. Hewett, taking upon himself the responsibility of disregarding the order, replied that "Such an order did not come from Captain Lushington, and he would not do it till it did." Mr. Hewett then pulled down the parapet of the Battery, and, with the assistance of some soldiers, got his gun round and poured upon the advancing column of Russians a most destructive and effective fire.
 
Naval Career
Hewett's career began on 22nd Apr 1847 when he was appointed as a Cadet on HMS Ocean. On 26th May 1849 he was made Acting Mate on HMS Impregnable and thereafter served on several ships before 26th October 1854 when he attained the rank of Lieutenant and was posted to HMS Beagle. He was promoted to Commander on 13th Sep 1858, Captain on 14th Nov 1862 and Rear-Admiral on 14th Nov 1862. For much of this time he commanded the Naval Brigade during actions in West Africa, Egypt and the Sudan, gaining in the process a reputation as the Navy's finest exponent of Combined Operations.
 
Life in Southsea
Records place Hewett at No 1 Hamilton Villas, Hamilton Road in 1866, from where he moved to 10 Eastern Parade in 1871. From 1880-1884 he lived at 33 South Parade and then moved to London. He returned to Southsea in 1887 and for the last few months of his life lived at St Elmo, Lennox Road. After his death his widow moved to Ferndale, 16 Taswell Road and then from 1890-1898 to 6 Worthing Road.
 
The Hewett Family
Hewett's father was Doctor William Wrighte Hewett MD, of Billham Hall, Near Doncaster, Yorks. He was a Surgeon and Physician to William IV. His mother was Susan Moore, daughter of the Reverend John Maddy Moore DD, Prebendary of Ely and Chaplain to William IV. On 23rd Feb 1857 Hewett married Jane Emily Blackadar, daughter of J Wood, Consul for the Morea at Patras, Greece. Their first son Hugh was born on 12th December 1858. He was followed by son William on 18th April 1861, son Edward on 28th Jul 1864, daughter Jane on 14th Jan 1866, a son Charles who lived less than 6 months and finally a daughter Emily on 11th Apr 1874.
 
The Funeral
The procession left Haslar at 1330hrs. The body was proceeded by the band of the RMLI, and was followed to the jetty, through a double line, consisting of Marines and young sailors of HMS St Vincent, by a strong party of Blue jackets from HMS Northumberland. At the jetty the coffin was placed on the Magnet, the departure of which was signalled by the firing of thirteen minute guns from the Duke of Wellington. The coffin was landed at the Dockyard railway jetty and conveyed thence to the new railway station at Southsea, where it was received by personal friends of the deceased and a large number of Naval and Military officers. The station was occupied by massed bands of men of the Channel Squadron. The road leading to the Cemetery was lined on both sides by troops of the Garrison and seamen of the fleet, while the cemetery itself was held by the RMA and a guard of honour from HMS Northumberland. The coffin was covered with wreaths, conspicuous among them was one of a laurel sent by the Queen. Other wreaths were forwarded by the Empress of Germany and Lord Wolseley. Among the mourners were 6 Admirals.