Pte 24808 Arthur Joseph Lewis

Arthur Joseph Lewis (known as Joe) was born in the September quarter of 1888 at 12 Hood Street, Bootle to Chester born dock labourer Thomas Ridley Lewis and his Blackburn born wife Alice Brown Lewis (nee Mercer). They married in the September quarter of 1885 in West Derby and had ten Children (five girls and five boys) sadly two children died pre 1911.(Twin Thomas Alexander Lewis in 1895 and Alexander Ridley Lewis in 1900 )

 

The April 1891 Census shows two year old Joe still living at 12 Hood Street, Bootle with his parents his elder sister Nelly aged 4. Also present in the household is Elizabeth Ridley, a widow, aged 82.

 

By April 1901 Joe aged 12 is a scholar living at 125 Berry Street, Bootle with his parents (his Mother is now recorded as a self employed greengrocer/shopkeeper) and with his siblings; Nelly 14, Annie 9, Lena 7, Alice 5 and Thomas 3 all of whom were born in Liverpool.

In the December quarter of 1904 the family move to 16 Surrey Street, Bootle where George Edward is born that same quarter. 

 

In the June quarter of 1908 his mother Alice dies aged 42.

 

At the time of the 1911 Census Joe is aged 22 and a dyer living at 16 Surrey Street, Bootle with his widower father who is now shown as a self employed marine store dealer and his seven siblings; Nellie 24, Annie 19, Lena 17, Alice 15, Thomas 13, Mary 9 and George 7.
   

He enlisted in Liverpool as Private 24808 joining the 17th (Pals) Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. His service number suggests that he enlisted in early 1915.

 

In the March quarter of 1915 when aged 26 he married 24 year old Hannah Hilda Wright who was born in York. The 1911 Census shows Hannah Hilda Wright, aged 20 years, an ironer in a dye works, living with her parents and family at 303 Westminster Road. It is to be remembered that Joe also worked in a dye works. 

 

On 07th November 1915 after completing his training in the UK he arrived in France.

 

Whilst serving in France he receives news that his son Thomas Arthur was born on 06th February 1916, sadly he was never to see his baby son.

 

On 22nd June 1916, aged 27, he died of his wounds recieved in the build up to the Battle of the Somme. 

He now rests at La Neuville Communal Cemetery, Corbie, France.

In April 1916, No.21 Casualty Clearing Station came to La Neuville and remained there throughout the 1916 Battles of the Somme, until March 1917. La Neuville British Cemetery was opened early in July 1916, but burials were also made in the communal cemetery. Most of them date from this period, but a few graves were added during the fighting on the Somme in 1918. The communal cemetery contains 186 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. The graves form one long row on the eastern side of the cemetery.

 

On 06th July 1916 his father places a photograph and memoriam notice to Joe in the Liverpool Echo: 

Pte. Arthur Joseph Lewis, Liverpool Pals, whose wife resides at 303 Westminster rd., Kirkdale, has died of wounds in France. He was twenty seven years of age, and the son of Mr.Thomas Lewis,of 348,Marsh lane, Bootle. 

 

On 03rd August 1916 his widow Hannah is sent the arrears of his pay totalling £3: 9s :5d to  her home address at 303 Westminster Rd Kirkdale, followed by a further seven shillings on 22nd August 1916. On 22nd December 1916 she is awarded a dependents pension 

 

On 11th January 1917 an award of 15 shillings is awarded to his son Thomas until his 16th Birthday. 

 

On 23rd June 1917 his father now living at 348 Marsh Lane Bootle places a Memoriam notice in the Echo from all the family:

LEWIS - In affectionate remembrance of Private Arthur Joseph (Joe) Lewis, the beloved eldest son of Mr and Mrs T.P Lewis, 348 Marsh lane, Bootle. Died of wounds recieved in action with the "Pals" June 22, 1916 - Never forgotten by Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.   
 

On Christmas Day, 25th December, 1924 Joe's widow remarried to Charles Yarker at St Lawrence's Church Kirkdale. They have a son James H born in the December quarter of 1925 and a daughter, Margaret, born in the December quarter of 1927.

Sadly, Hannah became a widow again when she was 3 months pregnant with Margaret when her husband Charles died aged 46 on 24th May 1927.

CWGC says Joe was 28 years old when he died, though this is at odds with the birth records shown above. He earned all three medals

Arthur Joseph Lewis is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance at Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 65 Right.

He is also remembered on the family headstone in Bootle Cemetery:

ALSO ARTHUR JOSEPH
DIED OF WOUNDS IN FRANCE
JUNE 22ND 1916 AGED 28 YEARS

The headstone also shows that his younger brother George Edward tragically drowned on 17th August 1917 aged 12 and a half. This was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 20th August 1917:

BOOTLE BOY DROWNED

A boy named Lewis, living in Surrey Street, Bootle, was bathing in the canal near Garden Lane with some comrades, when he got into difficulties, and in spite of attempts at rescue, was drowned.

His father Thomas Ridley Lewis died 13th December 1929.

 

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