Reginald Milton Lewis


Mar 6, 1888

Born in Barbados, British West Indies to William and Elizabeth (nee Smith) Lewis

 

Nov 18, 1908

Married to Annie Grace Jamieson in St. George’s Cathedral, Kingston, Ontario

 

Nov 10, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 59588 (temporary number 652)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. A Lewis, wife, 417 Johnson St., Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Brakeman for Grand Trunk Railroad

Ø  Previous military experience given as CPASC (Canadian Permanent Army Service Corps)

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “E” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “C” Company

The 21st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

 

 

 

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

 

May 27, 1915

Sentenced to 168 hours of detention for being AWL (Absent Without Leave)

 

Aug 3, 1915

Forfeited 2 days pay for being absent from August 2 to August 3, 1915

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

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

 

Oct 5, 1915

While in the front line trenches near Messines Belgium, Private Lewis decided to peek over the top of the trench.  When he did that, he was shot in the left arm by a German sniper and evacuated to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 2 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) near Bailleul, France

It is interesting that circumstances of his wounding were told to doctors as above, while the letters home reported that he had been wounded by a shell explosion.

 

 

 

Oct 8, 1915

Transported via ambulance train and admitted to the No. 25 General Hospital in Camiers/Hardelot, France

 

 

 

Oct 16, 1915

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Dieppe

 

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Norfolk War Hospital in Thorpe, Norwich

Transferred to the 39th Reserve Battalion for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Nov 8, 1915

Surgery was performed to remove dead tissue and repair nerve damage in his arm

 

Jan 4, 1916

Transferred to the Hillingdon House Convalescent Hospital in Uxbridge

While outside exercising, Private Lewis suffered severe frost bite to his left hand.  This was a result of poor circulation and lack of feeling in hand due to the damage caused by the bullet wound and of course, cold weather

 

Feb 15, 1916

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Mar 8, 1916

Transferred to the Duchess of Connaught Canadian Red Cross Hospital in Cliveden, Taplow with a diagnosis that reads Frost Bite in left hand

 

 

 

Jul 1, 1916

Transferred to the Hillingdon House Convalescent Hospital in Uxbridge

 

Aug 7, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Folkestone

 

Aug 10, 1916

Attached to the Canadian Discharge Depot in Bath pending return to Canada

 

Aug 11, 1916

Pension Board in Bath recommends a pension of $32 per month for 6 months.  The board also recommended a pension for his son of $6 per month for 6 months

 

Sep 1, 1916

Embarked the SS Grampian in Liverpool

 

 

Sep 10, 1916

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was admitted to the Elmhurst Convalescent Home

 

Dec 9, 1916

Medical Board in Kingston notes

Ø  Function of left hand almost recovered from bullet wound to arm

Ø  Some atrophy of muscle is present

Ø  Strength is not fully recovered

Ø  Fit for instructional duty only

 

Jan 1, 1917

Transferred to “D” Unit Toronto, Ontario General Hospital to be employed as a Physical Instructor

 

Feb 20, 1917

Promoted to the rank of Sergeant

 

Nov 1, 1917

Transferred to “A” Unit, Military Hospital Commission in Montreal, Quebec

Home address changed to 133 Metcalfe St., Montreal, Quebec

 

Feb 14, 1918

Medical Board in Montreal notes

Ø  Slight atrophy of muscle in left arm due to bullet wound

Ø  Some loss of function of hand, grip 40% less than normal

Ø  Left hand gets cold easily

Ø  Disability is noted as 50% for at least 6 months

Ø  Declared to be unfit for service and board recommends he be discharged

 

Mar 7, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Sergeant

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge St. Andrew, (near Hoytes) Barbados, British West Indies

Shortly after his discharge, he embarked for Barbados with his wife and son

 

Jun 13, 1918

Embarked the SS Caraquet in Bermuda with his wife and son

 

 

Jun 19, 1918

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario

 

Jul 18, 1918

Attested into the 1st Depot Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59588

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Annie Lewis, wife, 417 Johnson St., Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Brakeman for the Grand Trunk Railroad

Ø  Previous military service given as 21st Battalion CEF for 11 months

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

The medical exam performed on this date records him as being unfit for duty

 

Jul 19, 1918

Transferred to the 3rd Battalion, Canadian Garrison Regiment

 

Jul 22, 1918

Attached to the CMP (Canadian Military Police) for duty in Kingston

Promoted to rank of Corporal

 

Sep 16, 1918

Transferred to the No. 3 Detachment, Canadian Military Police in Kingston for permanent duty

 

Apr 14, 1919

Admitted to the Queen’s Military Hospital in Kingston with a diagnosis that reads Tonsilitis

 

Apr 19, 1919

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Jul 29, 1919

Medical Board in Kingston notes

Ø  Man suffers from impaired function of left arm

Ø  Has Varicose veins in both legs

Ø  1/3rd atrophy of muscle in left wrist

Ø  1/3rd normal strength in left hand

Ø  Cannot touch tip of thumb with fingers of left hand and carries hand in a claw position

Ø  Cannot feel pin pricks in fingers

Ø  Complains of pain in legs when he wears puttees or when he runs

Ø  Board recommends discharge from service

 

Jul 30, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Corporal

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 9 St. Lawrence Ave., Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 163 Queen St., Kingston, Ontario

 

Jul 9, 1921

Reginald Milton Lewis was killed in an automobile accident in Tyendinaga Township near Kingston and was buried in the Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston

 


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