Lieutenant William Blewitt was the son of Lt Col Guy Blewitt DSO MC, and Audrey Blewitt, of Boxted, Essex. He completed his jump training on course 27 which took place between 14th September and 24th September 1942. He served with the 3rd Parachute Battalion as the commander of 6 Platoon, B Company and took part in the North African campaign.  Lieutenant Blewitt died during the battle of Djebel Azzag, also known as the Battle of Green Hill, on 6 January 1943, aged only 20 years old. His platoon was tasked with fighting uphill towards point 396 after an artillery barrage but as he and his CSM William Kerr stalked an MG post, Blewitt was shot and killed, whilst his CSM survived. Blewitt's death was recorded in the 3rd Parachute Battalion War Diary:

"[5th January] 1900 CO gives orders for night attack on point 396. 2330 - B Company moves off for attack. 6th January 0030 - Artillery barrage for 30 minutes on point 396. 0110 - Enemy opens fire. 0145 - B Company assault point 396 from the north. Neutralised seven machine gun posts north of objective. Unable to make point 396. Lieutenant W. Blewitt killed. 0300 - Enemy counter-attacked. Attack driven off. 0330 - Enemy counter-attacked. 0345 - B Company forced to withdraw"

CSM Kerr later won the Military Medal. His citation reveals the circumstances in which Lieutenant Blewitt died:

"On the night of 5/6 Jan. 43. in the hills North West of MATEUR, this N.C.O. accompanied his platoon commander in stalking three enemy M.G. posts which were holding up the advance of the company. The platoon commander [Lt William Blewitt] was killed by the fire from the second post but Sgt Kerr, who was then only ten yards from the post, killed the gunner with a shot from his rifle. At the same time a grenade was thrown from the post and burst between Sgt Kerr's legs, wounding him five times in the legs and also in the head. Despite his injuries this N.C.O. crawled right up to the post and neutralised it with a grenade; The company attack was not successful and it was not possible for the stretcher bearers to reach Sgt Kerr; during the remainder of the night however this N.C.O. dragged himself to a position of cover from which he was later recovered. Whilst waiting for the stretcher bearers he observed the enemy movements and gun positions and was able to give valuable and accurate information when he was brought in"

Blewitt is now buried at Tabarka Ras Rajel War Cemetery, Tunisia.

Article written by Alex Walker