Henry Bartlett "Bartle" Lewis


 

Jun 30, 1894

Born in Ottawa, Ontario to Stephen Thomas and Catherine (nee Harvey) Lewis 

His birth was not registered until March 11, 1895.

 

Dec 10, 1914

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

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

Nov 27, 1915

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

 

 

Medals photo supplied by Terry McCormick and reproduced with permission

 

Nov 18, 1916

Charles Walter Lewis, Henry’s brother, was killed in action while serving with the 38th Battalion

 

Nov 11, 1939

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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