G/Fathers service history

Hi guys , I took the papers I printed off to him this afternoon and we talked a bit and it turns out that his sister knew of uncle William that was killed at the Somme , but was only told he died in the war . While talking Dad said that Owen as a young lad would sit underneath the trains staition masters window and listen to the clicking of of the telegraph and then one day the station master grabbed him and gave him a paper with morse code on it and told him not to come back untill he had it memorized . The station master took him under his wing and taught him to work the telegraph and when he came to Canada years later worked as a farm labourer and then ended up working for the railroad as a telegrapher . In 1939 he enlisted in the Canadian Army and they found he had a signals trade and sent him to Kingston , Ont . for training and later was sent to London , England for the rest of the war . I found a web site that calculates dates and going back 3 years and 67 days puts his approximate enlistment date on or around Feb.04.1919 .


Dads sister also told him that one afternoon 30 + years ago that her and my uncle Jack were visiting Grandpa Owen and he related a story of a man crawling thru some mud in a bunch of flames reaching for him in some kind of vision . It scared him so much that he jumped up onto the windowsill until it went away . It turns out that he was 16 at the time . Strange to say the least , but who knows , right ?

Did anyone find out anything about John Lewis medal marked LAN.FUS ? . Is that Lancaster or llanfechell ? I don't know if Owens' brothers were Royal Welchman or not but I would bet that they were .

I never knew or met my great grand parents let alone know their names but thats what immigration does and I suppose I still have family from Dads aunt Ellen . I wonder if William received any medals or commendations ? Anyway it's getting late so I'll talk to you all later and it looks as though you have hit the nail on the head .Take care , Ron .

Rob, the Lancashire Fusiliers had eight men named John Lewis. Seven of them survived the war. I found some docs concerning one of them, a Regular soldier, 9669 Pte John Lewis, born Wrexham, butcher, enlisted Lancs Fus 30th July 1903 at the age of 18 years and 9 months.

Pte William Lewis 20476, 13th Bn RWF, was born in Llenfechell, Anglesey, and on enlistment in early 1915 gave his address as Rhosgoch. He landed in France on 1st Dec 1915, was killed on 9th July 1916, age 21, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. His service record does not survive.

Hope this helps.

John

Ron

Williams' medal entitlement were a 'trio' i.e the 1914-1915 Star, the British and the Victory.

See
http://www.1914-1918.net/grandad/themedals.htm

No gallantary awards that I can see.

The one for John Lewis with Lan Fus on the rim will probably be on of the latter two. Does it also have a number on the rim?


Hywyn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Baconwallah

Pte William Lewis 20476, 13th Bn RWF, was born in Llenfechell, Anglesey, and on enlistment in early 1915 gave his address as Rhosgoch. He landed in France on 1st Dec 1915, was killed on 9th July 1916, age 21, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. His service record does not survive.

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Hi Ron, regarding William Lewis. Just to give your family something to look at in more detail. Its likely he was killed at or near Mametz Wood. This action involving the 38th(Welsh) Division of which the 13th & 14th Bn's RWF were part of, took place over the period 6-12th July. Its a fascinating story and exemplifies the wanton slaughter of the Great War and the unbelievable bravery of those in the midst of it. As a taster I would suggest firstly looking at the following sites:

http://www.rwfmuseum.org.uk/nbsomme.html

http://www.powell76.talktalk.net/mametz.htm

They give a very simplified overview of the units involved and the chronology. I should point out the Brigade your interested in is; 113th Brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. L.A.E. Price-Davies VC. Within the brigade there was 4 RWF infantry battalions. 13th, 14th, 15th & the 16th. After the attack on the 7th July Price-Davies made negative comments about the battalions under his command to his divisional commander, which he later regretted and retracted. Our forum historians can possibly give you a better overview of that battle and perhaps some good reading sources. One that springs to mind is "Up to Mametz" by Wyn Griffith. He was an RWF officer with the 15th Bn, but then became a staff officer with the 38th Div and witnessed the slaughter at Mametz. Hope this helps.

Ron,
If you can send me your email address via the Private Messages system, I'll be happy to forward images of the Rhosybol Memorial and of the name on the Thiepval Memorial.

Clive

Before joining the RWF Owen served in the SWB with the number 66813. He was awarded two clasps to the IGS, Waziristan 1919-21 and also the Waziristan 1921-24 Clasp. Looks to have been discharged on the 11th April 1922.

His service record should be available from the MOD Historical Disclosures, I think.