The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. C R Hewlett

Colin Roy Hewlett, of Frenchay, was born in 1920, the son of Marshall William and Daisy Beatrice Hewlett.

He was educated at Cotham Secondary School in Bristol.

Hewlett joined the RAFVR about June 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and then joined 65 Squadron at Hornchurch on 13th July 1940, direct from FTS.

He was attached to 7 OTU Hawarden on the 15th where he converted to Spitfires. Hewlett rejoined 65 on 9th August 1940 and flew his first sortie on 21st August.

Above: L to R

F/O JBH Nicholas, P/O NE Hancock, P/O B Drobinski, P/O ED Glaser, Sgt. GW Tabor, Sgt. CR Hewlett

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Commissioned in June 1941, Hewlett was still serving with 65 Squadron in 1942.

When Scharnhorst and Gneisenau made their Channel Dash on 12th February the squadron fought with the German fighter cover and Hewlett shot down a Me109.

He flew on the Dieppe operation on 19th August and was awarded the DFC (gazetted 3rd November 1942).

On 12th December 1942 Hewlett took up a repaired aircraft, Spitfire Vb AD115, for a test flight.

While circling to land at Drem the Spitfire exploded. Hewlett was killed.

He was 22 years old and is buried in the churchyard of St. John the Baptist, Frenchay, Bristol.

Above image courtesy of Nancy Farr.