Brother to Private 49093 Thomas Lewis, 1 Bn Loyal North Lancashire.  KIA 18 September 1918. Vis en Artois Memorial.

William Ernest Lewis was born in Oswestry in 1894, the first child of William and Elizabeth Lewis. He had two younger brothers; David and Thomas and three younger sisters; Margaret, Elizabeth and Dorothy. His father worked at the Cambrian Railway as a coach body maker. The family lived at 21 Prince Street, Oswestry. William would join his father at the Railway works, also as a coach body maker.

William had enlisted in August 1914 and was one of the original Pals – leaving with the first draft on 9 September 1914. It is probable that his brother, then aged 14 and still at school, was one of the crowd who followed the column to the train. William went over to France with the 6 Bn. King’s Shropshire Light Infantry on 24 July 1915.

Following their participation in The Battle of Loos, 6 Bn KSLI remained in the same area on tours in the trenches near to Fleurbaix and to Armentières. William died of wounds on 31 December 1915 after being shot in the head by a German sniper on the afternoon before. On that same day, Captain SF Thomas, William’s company commander, wrote to his parents – ‘I deeply regret to have to convey to you the news of your son’s death. Pte. W. E. Lewis of my company, which took place today. He was standing yesterday afternoon in a part of the front line where the parapet is very low, and he was shot through the head by a German sniper. He was at once attended to, and sent to the field ambulance, but the wound proved fatal, and he died this morning without recovering consciousness. I am sorry indeed to have to tell you of your son’s death, well knowing what a blow it will be to you; but I should like you to know  that he will be greatly missed by all in this company – officers and men alike for he was a most capable and willing lad, and a very good soldier. There was a very tragic coincidence in connection with his death too, in that Lieut. Walker*, to whom he acted as a servant, was killed in exactly the same way only a few hours before, and your son was about to leave the trench with his kit when he was hit.  Permit me to express to you and your family my heartfelt sympathy in your great loss, together with that of my officers, N.C.O.’s and men’. At the time he was gathering together his kit ready for the relief and return to billets for New Year, in a momentary lapse, he made himself visible to the enemy. William is buried in Estaires Cemetery. He is also commemorated at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry and on the Cambrian Railway Memorial, Cae Glas Park.

*Lieutenant EA Walker (CWGC)

Acknowledgements.

References and Sources

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