H C Lewis (1878 – 1917)

Harry Cuthbert Lewis was baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth, on 30th June, 1878. He was the son of John Lewis, a carpenter, and his wife, Sarah. The family lived in Underhill Street.

Harry became a bricklayer. He married Ada Hunt at Kidderminster in 1897. They lived in Bernard’s Hill. By 1911 they had four children.

Harry went to France in February 1915 with the 2nd Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry, later being transferred to B Company, 6th Battalion.

The 6th Bn. served on the Western Front for much of the war, seeing action at Loos (1915), Ypres (1916) and the Somme. Harry was killed in action on 20th September, 1917, the first day of the Battle of the Menin Road (part of the Third Battle of Ypres). He is buried in Cement House Cemetery, Langemark.

Private Lewis, 6810, was awarded the Victory and British medals and the 15 Star. His death was reported in the Bridgnorth Journal on 20th October, 1917.

KILLED IN ACTION
[Bridgnorth Journal, 20th October, 1917]
As recorded amongst our obituary notices last week, 6810 Private H. Lewis, B Co., 6th K.S.L.I., was killed in action on the 20th ult. His home was at 74 Bernard’s Hill, Bridgnorth, and the widow has received the following letter from Capt. Maurice J. Welber, the officer commanding B Company: “It is with very deep regret that I write to inform you of the death in action of your husband, 6810 Pte. H. Lewis, of B Co., 6th K.S.L.I. He was killed during an attack on the 20th ult., whilst doing splendid work as a stretcher-bearer. It will be a consolation to you, I am sure, to know that death was practically instantaneous and that he did not suffer at all. Pte. Lewis has been a steady and thorough soldier during the whole of his time with the company, and is a real loss to us all.”