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Jun 30, 1894
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Born in Ottawa, Ontario to Stephen Thomas and
Catherine (nee Harvey) Lewis
His birth was not registered until March 11,
1895.
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Dec 10, 1914
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Attested into the 21st Battalion in
Ottawa, Ontario
Ø Number 59585 (temporary number 1174)
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs. Stephen Lewis, mother, 235 Gloucester St.,
Ottawa, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Electrician
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
Ø Assigned to the Depot Company
Note that he attested in Ottawa as a drummer in
the St. Andrews Pipe Band. On attesting, he
gave his birth date as June 22, 1893. On
arrival in Kingston he was made a drummer in the 21st Battalion Pipe Band. The band members trained as stretcher
bearers
The battalion trained in the Kingston area
through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Devonport, England and the
battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the
battalion proceeded to St. Omer
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Nov 27, 1915
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While the battalion was in the front line
trenches near La Clytte, Belgium, Private Henry Lewis, acting as a stretcher bearer, went
to the aid of 2 members of the battalion, Pte Percy Lanning and Pte George Dupuis who had been shot by a sniper. The sniper also shot Henry Lewis, killing him
instantly. He was buried shortly after in the
nearby Ridgewood Cemetery, Voormezeele, Belgium, along with Lanning and Dupuis.
Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War
Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent
to his mother, Mrs. S.T. Lewis, Keyworth Ave., Ottawa, Ontario
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Medals photo supplied by Terry McCormick and
reproduced with permission
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Nov 18, 1916
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Charles Walter Lewis, Henry’s brother, was
killed in action while serving with the 38th Battalion
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Nov 11, 1939
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Mrs. Catherine Lewis was
the 1939, 1940 and 1941 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national
Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 1939 - 1941, she laid a wreath at the
base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in
military service to Canada.
On November 27, 1915, her son, Henry Bartle Lewis, was killed in
Belgium while serving with the 21st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Eastern
Ontario Regiment).
On November 18,
1916, a second son, Private Charles Walter Lewis, was
killed in France while serving with the 38th Battalion, Canadian Infantry
(Eastern Ontario Regiment).
When the
Secretary of State wrote Mrs. Lewis asking her to represent the mothers at the unveiling,
she replied that she would rather not. Later the Prime Minister sent back word to her that
he would have nobody else, so she could not refuse. Four of her sons served in the First
World War. Jack was in the artillery and Stephen served with the mule transport in
Montreal. They all went overseas in the first contingent.
Mrs. Lewis was born in Dublin, Ireland and came
to Canada in 1853 when she was 18. She died at the age of 91.
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