Description
China 1842, Francis Hewitt, Royal Marine, HMS Blonde, served through the whole of the war on the ship 1839-42, 21 year career with 16 years afloat.
A long service Royal Marine who did improve his conduct in his later years, but not before receiving 37 lashes on his back over 2 separate whippings, and on another occasion being found missing from the Tattoo, found drunk in a pub where he made “Riotous Conduct” and made his escape from the Picquet who arrested him.
During his 21 years he saw extensive service in the First Opium War in China serving throughout the war on the Blonde from 1839 to 1842.
Officially impressed with stars to fill out the rim: “Francis Hewitt, Royal Marines.”
Confirmed on the medal roll for service on HMS Blonde as a Royal Marine.
With copy service papers.
Good preserved condition.
Service in China on the Blonde, 16th November 1839 – 23rd March 1843.
Francis joined the Blonde on 16th November 1839, during this time the ship was awaiting another commission at Portsmouth, setting off once a new crew was gathered by Feb 1840.
During this time the ship was under the Command of the esteemed Captain Thomas Bourchier KCB (who earned the CB for his service in China during 1841, and was upgraded for further China service in 1842).
The Biographical Dictionary entry for Captain Bourchier recalls the incredibly busy war services of the Blonde in the war and the experiences of Royal Marine Francis Hewitt,
“As here to chronicle each detail of this officer’s very brilliant services during the ensuing campaign in China would lead us far beyond our limits, we must content ourselves in generally stating – that his career on that wide spread field of action opened with a spirited attack on the batteries at Amoy, 3rd July 1840.
That he afterwards, being left in command at Chusan with a squadron of 3 Ships-of-War and transports, embarked the troops, and, in pursuance of the orders of Sir J.J.G. Bremer, delivered the island over to the Chinese Authorities, in February 1841.
That he he also commanded the flotilla of boats employed at the first taking of Canton, a brigade of seamen at the storming of the heights in the vicinity of that city during the operations which led to its recapture, and a division of ships at the taking of Amoy, besides eminently participating in the capture (the second time) of Chusan, Chinghae, Ningpo, the attack on the heights of Segoan, the further taking of Tsekee and Chapoo, and the Battle of Woosung, on which latter occasion the Blonde was the leading ship.
That he had charge of the Naval Force in the Ningpo River during a part of the winter of 1842, accompanied Rear-Admiral Sir William Parker up the Yang-tse-Kiang (Yangtze River), and was second in command at the pacification of Nanking – and that he ultimately returned with $3,000,000 Dollars of the Chinese Ransom, to Portsmouth, where he was paid off in March 1843.”
Francis Hewitt, was born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, circa 1813.
At the age of 20 years and 6 months old, having worked as a Hinge Fitter, Francis signed on for a £3 Bounty with the Royal Marines on 11th January 1833.
Remarks on service:
6th August 1833, Drunk when Sentry on the Poop. Sentence, 24 Lashes.
13th August 1834, Absent for 3 Nights and 2 Days, 30 days of hard labour.
11th May 1839, Absent from Tattoo, Drunk and Riotous conduct in a Public House, and making his escape from the Picquet, 7 Days of Solitary Confinement.
13th January 1846, Striking the Corporal, and insolent to the Commander, 13 Lashes.
Only 2 trifling offences appear against him since 13th January 1846.
Has one certificate of good conduct.
Served in HMS Blonde during the whole of the operations in China, Has a medal for the same (this medal).”
Service on ships:
HMS Endymion, 1st Feb 1834 – 26th July 1834
HMS Victory, 17th march 1835 – 4th April 1836
HMS Britannia, 12th July 1836 – 18th April 1839
HMS Blonde, 16th November 1839 – 23rd March 1843.
HMS Nautilus, 6th July 1843 – 31st December 1844
HMS Nautilus and Netley, 1st Jan 1845 – 6th Apr 1848
HMS Driver & Rhadamanthus, 20th September 1848 – 3rd February 1849
HMS Leander, 5th Oct 1848 – 13th October 1852
HMS Victory, 24th March 1854 – 11th July 1854.
He was discharged at his own request on completion of 21 years of service on 11th July 1854, having served 16 years 1 month and 12 days a float on various ships his total service being 21 years 6 months and 6 days, but 1 month and 7 days were knocked off for being “In Jail”.
After his discharge he remained local living in Greenwich, with his wife Ann, who he married in September 1866 in Greenwich.
He is noted as a “Marine Pensioner” in the 1871 Census, however changing his birth place from Wolverhampton to Deptford, Kent. He was never actually born in Wolverhampton according to local records, but stated this for some reason on enlistment actually being born in Deptford.
He remained there in 1881 and 1891 Censuses. Before he died in March 1895 aged about 82 years old.
