Ronald Hewat

Ronald Duxbury Hewat MC (22 April 1887 – 15 February 1944) was a South African first-class cricketer and South African Army soldier.

One of eleven children of Andrew Hewat and Elizabeth Usher, he was born at Umtata in April 1887. Hewat served as a corporal in the First World War in the South African Infantry, which formed part of the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force on the Western Front. In July 1918, he gained a temporary officer commission as a second lieutenant.[1] He was awarded the Military Cross in March 1919 for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty which took place from 15–17 October 1918.[2] The 2nd Battalion were tasked with capturing two bridges over the River Selle on the outskirts of Le Cateau and establishing bridgeheads. Commanding a party of men, he succeeded in these objectives and held the positions for two days while under heavy fire until the Allied attack was launched on the 17th.[3]

Upon his return to South Africa, Hewat made a single appearance in first-class cricket for Griqualand West against Western Province at Cape Town in the 1921–22 Currie Cup.[4] He scored 30 runs in the match and took a single wicket, that of C. H. Thomas.[5] Hewat later served in the South African Army during the Second World War, as a private in the Essential Services Protection Corps. He died on active service in Cape Town in February 1944.[6]