Thomas's Story.
C.W.G.C. remember a Thomas Lewis, Lance Corporal, Service No 165712 with the 101st Bn. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) at the Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium, (XVl.L.11.) Died 7th October 1918 aged 36. Husband of Sarah Mabel Lewis of 39 Castle Hill, Northwich. Personal Inscription: He Died For Those He Loved.
N.A.M.C. have a medal card for a Thomas Lewis Pte., with the Hussars No 5221, followed by Berkshire Yeomanry No 47777 and finally Machine Gun Corps No 165712. Awarded the 14 Star, Victory and British medals. Date of entry 22-9-14, Theatre of War not addressed and there is no reference to his death.
The Brunner Mond & Co., Roll of Honour booklet records 8 lads named Lewis at the Winnington Works, including a Thomas Lewis, L/Corpl, M.G.C. and was Killed in Action.
At the age of 36 as recorded by C.W.G.C. Thomas Lewis would have been born 1882+/ 1 year, Cheshirebmd does not record that birth in Northwich but does record a birth of a Thomas Lewis in Lymm in 1883. Cheshirebmd also records the marriage of a Thomas Lewis/Sarah M. Prest in 1915 at Witton St. Helen. Freebmd records the birth of a Frank D. Lewis in the June Q. of 1916 with the mothers maiden name of Prest.
Northwich Guardian 10th September 1915 RIGBY-LEWIS LEWIS-PREST.
Considerable interest was evinced in a double wedding which was solemnized at St. Helen’s Church, Northwich, on Monday, the contracting parties being Mr. John Rigby of Southport and Miss Amy Lewis, only daughter of Mrs Jones of Wellington Street Castle and Corporal Thomas Lewis of the 20th Hussars, son of Mrs Jones and Miss Mabel Prest, daughter of the late Mrs Thomas Prest of Castle. Miss Lewis who was given away by her brother Mr. Alfred Lewis, was dressed in a gown of pale dove grey silk, with white felt hat, trimmed with white ostrich feather and satin ribbon. She carried a shower bouquet by Miss Clara Hadden of Manchester who wore a pale helm dress and black picture hat. Miss Prest was attired in a tailor-made costume of navy cloth, with white felt had and was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr. Elmore Thompson. She carried a bouquet, the gift of the bridegroom. Her maid, Miss Nellie Moore, was gowned in a delaine dress with hat to match. Mr. Reginald Rigby acted as best man to Mr. John Rigby. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. A. W. Webb of Holy Trinity Church Castle.
Northwich Guardian 18th October 1918 CORPORAL THOMAS LEWIS.
Yesterday (Thursday) Mrs Lewis of 4 Rathbone Place, Castle, was informed that her husband, Corporal Thomas Lewis of the Hussars, had been killed. The news came from the captain of the deceased’s company, who states:- “It is with deep regret that I have to write this letter informing you of the death of your husband, who was killed by shell fire. I am glad to say he was killed instantly, so he didn’t suffer…. His death was a great blow to us …… and I never want a better N.C.O. (Non-Commissioned Officer.) under me.” Corporal Lewis called up as a reservist when the war broke out and fought at the battle of Mons with the “Old Contemptibles.” After a period of active service he was sent to another front, where he spent three years and on returning the boat was torpedoed but he was saved. He was formerly employed at the Winnington Works of Messrs Brunner Mond and Co.
Some Service Documents are available through Ancestry for Thomas Lewis. It appears he had previous service reckoning from November 1903. Another document is a death Certificate, being for a 24 day son who had died on the 1st May 1916. Thomas was still serving with the 20th Hussars at that time. His last home leave was from the 24th August 1918 for 14 days, rejoining his corps on the 14th September, then to be K.i.A. on the 8th Oct.1918
Research Bob H.