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Jul 29, 1892
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Born in Toronto, Ontario
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Jun 6, 1916
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Attested into the 109th
Battalion CEF in Minden, Ontario
Ø Number 724303
Ø Next of kin given
as Charles Lewis, father, Minden, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation
given as Labourer
Ø No previous
military experience given
Ø Religion given as
Presbyterian
It is interesting to note that
his medical examination did not take place until after he reached England, in
the Oxney Camp, Bordon, England
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Jul 23, 1916
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Embarked the SS Olympic in
Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Jul 31, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool,
England and proceeded to the Bordon Camp, near Longmoor, Hampshire
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Aug 16, 1916
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The battalion moved to
Bramshott to continue training
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Aug 26, 1916
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Admitted to the Wokingham
Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Adenoids and Tonsillitis
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Oct 5, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st
Battalion
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Oct 6, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian
Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 917
reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st
Battalion
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Oct 22, 1916
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After leaving the base depot
Private Lewis joined the 21st Battalion in billets in Ourton,
France and was assigned to “B” Company
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Jan 17, 1917
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During a trench raid at
Calonne, France conducted by the 21st Battalion, Private Lewis
received a wound to his right shoulder from a shell fragment. He was evacuated to the nearby field
ambulance for first aid
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Jan 18, 1917
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Transferred to the No. 22
General Hospital in Camiers for surgery to remove the shell fragments
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Jan 30, 1917
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Invalided to England aboard
the Hospital Ship Formosa
On arrival in England he was
admitted to the Southwark Military Hospital in East Dulwich, London
Posted to the CCAC (Canadian
Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital
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Mar 10, 1917
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Posted to the EORD (Eastern
Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while Hospital
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Mar 20, 1917
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Transferred to the Canadian
Convalescent Hospital in Bromley
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Apr 17, 1917
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Transferred to the Convalescent
Hospital in Epsom
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May 19, 1917
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Discharged to duty with the 6th
Reserve Battalion in Seaford
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Sep 12, 1917
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Transferred to the 21st
Battalion
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Sep 13, 1917
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Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD
(Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 42
reinforcements from England and TOS the 21st Battalion
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Sep 27, 1917
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After leaving the base depot,
he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Villers au Bois,
France
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Dec 14, 1917
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After leaving the
reinforcement camp he joined the 21st Battalion in the front line
trench east of Neuville St Vaast
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Mar 18, 1918
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Admitted to the No. 5 CFA
(Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Impetigo and Scabies
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Mar 19, 1918
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Transferred to the No. 1 CFA
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Mar 27, 1918
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Transferred to the Corps Rest
Station at No. 12 CFA
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Mar 29, 1918
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Transferred to the No. 11 CFA
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Apr 27, 1918
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Transferred to the No. 57 CCS
(Casualty Clearing Station)
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May 15, 1918
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Discharged to duty from
hospital
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Jun 6, 1918
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Awarded the Good Conduct Badge
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Aug 26, 1918
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While the battalion was
advancing on the town of Monchy-le-Preux, France, Private James Lewis was
instantly killed by enemy machine gun fire.
He was later buried in the Windmill British Cemetery, Monchy-le-Preux
Following the war the British
War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs.
Charles Lewis, Minden, Ontario
The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny)
and Scroll were sent to his father, Charles Lewis, at the same address
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James
Lewis is honoured at the entrance to his hometown cemetery in Minden as well
as on the war memorial at the local Legion
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