Willow Hewett, a Wells-based author and mother of two, unexpectedly stumbled upon a framed photograph of a World War One soldier at a car boot sale in Cheddar Market. Having bought it for just £5, what began as a simple purchase soon transformed into a passionate quest to uncover the soldier’s identity and reconnect the portrait with his family.
The photograph, purchased from a couple who had no knowledge of the soldier or how the picture came into their possession, intrigued Willow enough to investigate further. After initially hanging it on her wall, she grew determined to learn more. “I’m a bit of a weirdo when it comes to historical memorabilia,” she admits.
Her curiosity paid off when she found a service number written on the back of the frame, along with the studio’s name and the emblem of the Great War. Using this crucial information, Willow dove deep into research, consulting resources such as The National Archives, Imperial War Museums, and The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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Her efforts led her to identify the soldier as Private William Robert Linderbury-Hickerton. Born in 1892 in Walton Cardiff, Gloucestershire, William was the son of William Linderbury and Elizabeth Hickerton and worked as a farm labourer before enlisting. When World War One erupted, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), serving as a medic with the 32nd Field Ambulance, a frontline unit responsible for stabilising and evacuating wounded soldiers.
William spent much of the conflict in Palestine before transferring to Europe in 1918. He subsequently served with the 13th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Tragically, he was killed in action on July 24, 1918, in northern France at the age of 26. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Wood Memorial in Belgium.
As a single man with no children, William has no direct descendants. However, Willow’s research uncovered at least six siblings—Mary Ann, Alice Harriett, Elizabeth, Charles, and Emma—suggesting that descendants of his family may still be alive today. She is actively searching for living relatives to return the soldier’s treasured portrait to its rightful home.
Despite tracing several people named Linderbury in Gloucestershire, Willow has yet to find a confirmed connection. She hopes that sharing her story will expand the search and reach someone connected to William’s family. “If I can find his family, I will gladly pass the portrait to them. If not, I will keep it safe, ensuring he is forever remembered,” she says.
Through her dedication, Willow Hewett has not only preserved a piece of history but has rekindled the memory of a brave young soldier who sacrificed his life in service. Her mission is a poignant reminder of the personal stories behind the countless faces from the Great War.