Pte 31560 Frank Ridley Lewis

• Age: 21
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 23rd July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

Frank Ridley Lewis was born on the 11th August 1895 at Liverpool, the youngest son of James Alexander Lewis and his wife Mary (nee Hesketh) who were married on the 18th August 1891 at St Peter, Aintree. James was a 27 year old seaman of 78 Delamore St, Kirkdale, father Joseph an engine driver, whilst Mary was aged 25 of 172 Greenwich Rd, father Henry a platelayer. He was baptised on the 26th August 1895 at St. Mary’s Church, Walton.  

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 27 Frith Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool. 

The father, James Alexander, is aged 37, and employed as a rigger and his wife Mary is aged 35,  with no occupation listed. They have four children at the time of the Census, James aged 8, Joseph aged 7, Frank aged 5 and Edith aged 3. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 13 Adelaide Street, Poulton, Seacombe.

His father, James Alexander, is aged 47, born in Birkenhead in 1864, occupation shipping storekeeper. His mother Mary is aged 45, born 1866 in Melling, Lancashire. They have been married for 19 years and have four children. James aged 18, born 1893 occupation shipping office clerk, Joseph aged 17, born 1894 is a cotton office clerk, Frank aged 15, born 1896 is a shipping office clerk and Edith aged 13, born 1898 is at school. The children all born in Kirkdale, Liverpool.

Frank was originally serving in the 13th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 31560 but following a transfer he was with the 19th Battalion K.L.R. when he was killed in action on the 23rd July, 1917 aged 21.  

19th Battn. War Diary in the area of MUNCQ NIEURLET. 

CANAL RESERVE CAMP.  

23rd July 1917 - During the longer part of the day the Battalion rested, a few parades being held during the morning under Company arrangements. In the evening the battalion proceeded to the line, relieving the 6th Battalion of the Royal West Kents. 

TRENCHES. 

24th July 1917 - Relief was complete by 3.15 a.m. During the day the artillery on both sides were very active, special attention being paid by the enemy to the front and support lines. A few shells also dropped in RITZ STREET and in the vicinity of Battalion headquarters (DORMY HOUSE). 

According to the battalion War Diary, on the evening of 23rd July, the battalion proceeded to the line, relieving the 6th Bn Royal West Kents. It is highly likely that Frank was killed by shellfire during the relief. 

News concerning Frank's disappearance was reported in the Wallasey News:

Poulton Soldier Missing

Private Frank Ridley Lewis, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, has been posted as missing since July 23. He was previously wounded by shrapnel in the arm twelve months ago. Any information received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Lewis, 13, Adelaide Street, Poulton. 

Birkenhead News - Saturday 28 April 1917 

Pte. James Alexander Lewis, of the King’s Liverpool Regt., was wounded by gunshot through the right leg on Easter Monday. Writing from the Australian General Hospital, France, the brave "boy" says he is going on very favourably. He is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Lewis, 13, Adelaide-street, Poulton. 

Reported missing, believed killed in Liverpool Daily Post 15th Sept 1917. 

King’s (Liverpool Regiment) – Lewis, 31560, T.(sic) (Seacombe);   

His body was not recovered, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres in Belgium.

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.

Soldiers Effects, army pay of £1 11s 6d, war gratuity £8, and a pension of 6/- pw went to his father James A.    

Frank is also commemorated on the Wallasey Civic Memorial, Mill Lane, Wallasey Roll of Honour and St Luke’s C. of E. Church, Poulton.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his father James Alexander.

His mother died aged 87 in 1955 and his father died aged 95 in 1959. 

We currently have no further information on Frank Ridley Lewis, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.