L/Corp J C Lewis

John Charles Lewis was baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth, on 28th March, 1875. He was the son of John Lewis, a joiner, and his wife Sarah. They lived in Underhill Street.

In 1892, John became a soldier, joining the King’s Royal Rifles. He travelled to Gibraltar, Malta, South Africa and India. He served throughout the Boer War, receiving the Queen’s South Africa Medal with six clasps – including Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith and Laing’s Nek.

On discharge from the Army, having served his twelve years, John worked as an agricultural labourer. At the outbreak of war in 1914 he re-enlisted and served for over a year in the trenches before being discharged ‘no longer fit for service’ in November 1916. He died at home at Underhill Street on 10th January, 1917.

L/Corp Lewis, A824 (previously 7014), was awarded the Victory and British Medals and the 1915 Star. His death on 10th January, 1917 is recorded in the Bridgnorth Journal of 29th December, 1917.

LOCAL DICTIONARY OF DATES FOR 1917
[Bridgnorth Journal, 29th December, 1917]
10 [January] Mr John Charles Lewis, late King's Royal Rifles, died at 10 Underhill Street, aged 42.