Albert DeWitt
The search so far....
(by Dennis Dewitt)
First attempt - The British Embassy in Malaysia
My first attempt to find out if Albert DeWitt was indeed a recipient of the Victorian Cross award started in early 1994. I contacted the British Embassy here in Kuala Lumpur to obtain their assistance on the matter. On 11th March 1994, the reply came that it was confirmed that he was NEVER a recipient of such an award. The source of the search was from the Ministry of Defence, Army Historical Branch obtained by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London.
 |
The Victorian Cross is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. |
After purchasing a computer and gaining access to the world wide web, I continued my research, still determined to discover Albert DeWitt's military records and to confirm the type of medal that he was awarded.
Letters to England
In mid 1999, I made inquiries regarding Albert DeWitt via ordinary mail (to England) to :
1. The National Army Museum;
2. The Oriental and Indian Office of the British Library;
3. The Army Medal Office of the Ministry of Defence; and to
4. The Keeper of the Public Records
All have been unsuccessful in obtaining any information on the ever elusive Albert DeWitt. However, from the replies received, it seems that all records relating to personnel who served the British military before the Second World War have been transferred to the Public Records Office in Surrey, England. This seems to be my best bet to receive any information regarding Albert DeWitt.
The only catch is that The Public Records Office does not entertain request for information via mail. Instead, they require the researcher to come personally to their office to be registered and only then can the researcher view the records freely for themselves.
The Public Records Office
This is when I contacted Faith Helen Roberts to request for her help and she has most graciously offered her assistance to go to The Public Records Office during her trips to England.
This is Helen's report on her plight at the Public Records Office (PRO) during her last trip to England sometime in November 1999. The following is what she has to say :
"You know that we were in London for only 4 days and I spent 3 whole days at the PRO. It took me an hour to get there and an hour to get back by train. On two evenings the security guard had `to throw' me out. Unfortunately it was fruitless but at least I tried".
"On several occasions my spirits were lifted when I came across a DeWitt but they were not ours! In fact, I came across a A. DeWitt who was killed in action in 1914. I was so excited but on checking further he was attached to the East Lancaster Regiment".
"On the last day, I approached one of the staff in desperation and he told me that if I did not have details about the regiment and dates, it would be like looking for a needle in a hay-stack. He suggested reading the war diaries which may mention names of soldiers……. that would mean spending another year in the PRO!!!"
"I did everything that you asked me but to no avail. This doesn't mean that I have given up. When I am in London next I may do some reading in the Library. This nice gentleman suggested going through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Web site".
"I have also been through the CD ROM (Those who died in the wars) containing 6000 names at the PRO. I have photocopied information on Medals and also checked the bookshop… very small and mostly about the wars and some on genealogy. I asked for one on Medals but they did not have it so I got the Librarian to photocopy it".
"I am sure there must be some vital information sitting in the PRO but I just did not have enough time in London. I was told that there was a lady who came regularly for two years before she found what she wanted. Also there is the `burnt collection' and a lot of the information is missing. I hope that we are not in that category!"
