Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women of the Bridgnorth area who died during the two World Wars.
Henry Bath alias Henry Bath Lewis was born in Bewdley in 1891, the son of Charles Bath, general labourer, and his wife Emma (née Heighway). He was a maternal half-brother of George Lewis who is also commemorated on the war memorial at Astley Abbotts Church.
Charles died when his son was still an infant. Emma was remarried in 1895 to William Lewis. In 1901 the Lewises were living in Macclesfield with the family of Emma's sister, Annie Leary. By 1911 they had returned to the Bridgnorth area and were living on Nordley Common, though by this time Henry was living in Kington, Herefordshire, and working as a waggoner on a farm.
Henry served with the 5th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry. He went to France in July 1915 and was killed in action on 21st August 1917. The Battalion War Diary recorded: "Battalion in the line, East of Ypres. Hostile Artillery active throughout the day. Casualties 5 O.R. Killed & 19 O. R. Wounded." Henry is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Private Henry Bath was awarded the Victory and British medals and the 1915 Star.
KILLED IN ACTION.
[Bridgnorth Journal, 15th September, 1917]
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis. The Smythies, Bridgnorth, have received official notification of the death of their son, Private H. Bath Lewis, killed in action in France on the 22nd ult.
This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg. For news of updates follow @BridgnorthHeros on Twitter.