Winchendon honored those who sacrificed everything in World War II

WINCHENDON – The World War II Honor Roll of Winchendon, located on the town common at the intersection of Front Street and Pleasant Street, across from the town hall, lists a total of 26 names.

Many of those soldiers who are listed were born and bred in the town, native sons who left the fabled Toy Town to join their fellow soldiers overseas to fight in battle.

However, there were others to whom Winchendon would become their adopted home, after being born elsewhere. Either they arrived in town as youngsters with their parents, or they may have sought employment in one of the many mills in town.

The three soldiers profiled today all fit that category. They were not originally from Winchendon, but arrived in town during their lives and were ultimately memorialized here.

This is the continuation of the series Remembering Local World War II Heroes.

Radio Officer Hudson A. Hewey (1898-1942)

Hudson Adoc Hewey was born on July 10, 1898 in Fitchburg to Henry A. and Hattie E. (Pierce) Hewey. During World War I he was a Radioman in the U.S. Navy. He was married in 1930 in Boston.

He returned to the service with the U.S. Merchant Marines and he was killed at sea on Sept. 27, 1942 at the age of 44.

He has no known connection to the town of Winchendon, as the street listings never mention anyone by the name of Hewey living there. However, there is a grave bearing his name at Riverside Cemetery in Winchendon.

Cpl. Tech Byron A. Hodgkins (1925-1944)

Byron A. Hodgkins was born in Holden, Mass. on Jan. 12, 1925 to Alonzo T. and Frances E. (Carey) Hodgkins.

He came to Winchendon with his parents in 1933 and lived on Royalston Road, attending local elementary schools. He graduated from Murdock High School with in the Class of 1942. While at Murdock, it was noted that his ambition was to become an airplane mechanic, and his hobbies were hunting and fishing. During his years in high school, he was a member of the Chefs’ Club and Science Club, both for two years.

Following his graduation, he was employed by Kenney Brothers, a factory in Winchendon that manufactured window screens and school desks. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 4, 1943, but was transferred to the Engineers. After serving a few months at Camp Shelby, Miss., he was sent overseas, arriving in England in October 1943.

In his last letter to his parents, Byron said that he was still stationed in England, although “the big show” was on in France. It is believed that shortly thereafter he was sent to France, where he was ultimately killed in action on June 30, 1944.

He had been a member of the Methodist Church in Winchendon and was survived by his parents, as well as three brothers, Clarence, Arthur and Linden, and two sisters, Barbara and Eva, who all lived in Winchendon.

Hodgkins was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Winchendon.

Cpl. Tech Clarence R. Hutchinson (1911-1943)

Clarence R. Hutchinson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Oct. 17, 1911, the son of Charles Harry and Martha “Mattie” (Ludwig) Hutchinson. He came to Winchendon in 1938, where he lived as a boarder at the home of Ernest J. and Irma Maude (Rice) Tatro at 328 School St.

He took a job with General Box Co. in Winchendon as a sawman prior to his induction into the armed forces. He joined the Army on April 28, 1941 at Fort Devens and did his training at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod. He was later transferred to Fort McClellan, Ala. for maneuvers before returning to Camp Edwards.

More: Winchendon man died in Normandy invasion; another died on the USS Buck during WWII

In July of that year, he was sent to England, later to Ireland and then to Scotland. He was with the first contingent to land on North African shores.

While serving with the U.S. Army Engineers Corps in Sicily, he was reported killed in action at the age of 31 on Sept. 23, 1943. His place of burial is noted as Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Lazio, Italy.

He was survived by his parents, a brother Charles, and three sisters, Agnes, Martha and Phyllis.

Comments and suggestions for Remembering Local World War II Heroes can be sent to Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com or in writing to Mike Richard, 92 Boardley Road, Sandwich, MA 02563.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Hudson Hewey, Byron Hodgkins, Clarence Hutchinson all died in WWII