Name
George Richard John (poss J R G) Lewis
2/02/1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/02/1917
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
1750
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
'H' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CUINCHY COMMUNAL CEMETERY
II. B. 20.
France
Headstone Inscription
"FOREVER IN THE THOUGHTS OF THOSE AT HOME"
UK & Other Memorials
Hoddesdon and Rye Park Town Memorial, Hoddesdon, St Catherine and St Paul’s Church Memorial, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
George Richard John LEWIS was born on 2nd February 1896, in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, son of George Lewis, a Packer and Anne/Annie Lewis (nee Pearce), one for their nine children although two died in infancy. His parents were married on 13th January 1883, at St Andrews Church, Netteswell, Essex.
George was Baptised on 29th March 1896, at St Andrews Church, Netteswell, Essex.
1901 Census records George Jr. aged 5, living with his parents, four sister’s and brother Harold (1), in North Road, Hoddesdon, Herts.
1911 Census, George Jr. aged 15, is working as a Boot Repairer, living with his parents, Sister Rosina (13) and brother Harold (11) at 7 North Road, Hoddesdon, Herts.
George Jr. is recorded as attending Broxbourne Free School (Evening School).
In the early part of 1912 George Jr. enlisted in the Hertfordshire Regiment, Territorial Force and issued with the service No. 1750.
His mother Anne/Annie Lewis died on 22nd January 1917, in Hoddesdon, Herts.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war in August 1914, George Jr. was still serving in the Territorial Force. The Battalion was mobilized for war service on 1st November 1914, George volunteered for war service (as a Territorial he was not obliged to serve overseas the TF was a home defence force).
On the evening of 5th November 1914, the Battalion embarked aboard the “City of Chester” for Le Havre, France, arriving the following day the 6th, They disembarked about 12 Noon and marched the 31/2 Miles to No. 2 rest Camp.
In the early part of February 1915, the Battalion, was in the area of Cuinchy. George Jr. was killed in action on 3rd February 1915, aged 19.
The Battalion War Diary records:
3-2-15. No.4 Coy returned in the evening from being attached to 3rd Brigade. No.1 Coy in support trenches lost 2 men killed [Comment; Privates 1755 George COLES and 1750 George Richard John LEWIS both killed in action]
George Jr. is buried in Cuinchy Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. Grave Ref; II. B. 20.
Additional Information
His effects of £5-09s-01d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £3, went to his mother Annie.
His father George received a dependents pension of 5/- a week from 6th November 1918, increased to 7/- a week from 3rd February 1919.
His Headstone inscription “FOREVER IN THE THOUGHTS OF THOSE AT HOME “was requested by Mr. G. Lewis, 7 North Road, Hoddesdon, Herts.
He is listed as J. R. G. Lewis on the Hoddesdon and Rye Park War Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Malcolm Lennox, Jonty Wild
