Pte 21554 James Burton Lewis

• Age: 21
• From: Stockton Heath
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 27th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.L.28

James Burton (Bert) Lewis was born on 17th July 1894 in Stockton Heath the son of William Lewis, a farmer born in Kingsley, Cheshire, and his wife Sarah (nee Burton). His parents married in 1891 in Prestwich, Lancashire.

On 29th January 1900 he was enrolled in St John's Church of England Primary School in Kingsley and Newton.

The 1901 Census finds the family living at Mill Farm, Kingsley, Cheshire. Parents William a 36 year old farmer and his Liverpool born wife Sarah aged 34 with children Allen W. aged 7, James B aged 6, Henry F. aged 5, Jessie M. aged 4 and new born Doreen. The family employ two servants and a nurse.

The family were living at the same address in 1911. James is shown as a 16 year old student/farmworker living with his parents and seven siblings. Allan William aged 17 and working on the farm, Henry Francis aged 15 and also working on the farm, at school are Jessie Mabel aged 14, Doreen aged 10, Eric Richard aged 9, Bernard aged 7 and Elizabeth Ida aged 6. Also present is a servant 26 year old Sarah Burgess born in Flint. His parents, William aged 46 and Sarah aged 44, advise that they have been married for 19 years and have had nine children, eight of whom have survived.  

Bert enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 04^th September 1914 as Private 18154 but became 21554 joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. He gave his age as 20 years 51 days, his place of birth as Stockton Heath, his occupation as clerk and his next of kin as his father, William, Mill Lane Farm, Kingsley. He was described as being  5' 8" tall, weight 137 lbs, chest 38", with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Wesleyan. 

He was a Bugler and before the battalion left England his Colonel purchased a silver bugle for him.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

From 07^th November 1915 he served in France, earning all three medals.

He was killed in action on 27^th June 1916 during heavy enemy bombardment.

The British bombardment of the German lines, in preparation for the ‘Big Push’, begins on 24th June 1916. On the 26th the German counter-barrage begins and inflicts quite serious losses on the 17th and 20th battalions. 

The 17th Bn War Diary for 26th/27th June shows: “heavy enemy bombardment of front line trenches.  Casualties: Killed O.R. 17, Wounded O.R. 57”

Bert was one of those other ranks referred to and was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross.  The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron. It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery where he now rests.

His death was reported in in the Runcorn Guardian on the 14th July 1916 and the Liverpool Echo on 15th July1916:

– Killed in Action – Lewis - June 27 in his 22nd year James Burton (Bert) Lewis “Pals”. The dearly loved second son of William and Sarah Lewis, Kingsley, Frodsham. (Sadly missed) 

Personal items returned - disc, cap badge, razors, 2 dictionaries, 2 19th badges, bible, 2 pocket books, pkt of letters, cards and photos, fountain pen, wrist watch and strap, pair of scissors and pipe. Soldiers Effects to father William, Pension to mother Sarah.

He is commemorated on the Kingsley and Newton Memorial in Cheshire.

His family also included Bert in a Memorial placed in Hill Cliffe Baptist Chapel, Appleton in Cheshire. The inscription is as follows:

"In Loving Memory of Arthur Henry son of William and Sarah Lewis who died 21st June 1895 aged 3 months. Also James Burton (Bert) who fell in France 27th June 1916."

He was remembered on the first anniversary of his death in the Liverpool Daily Post 27th June 1917

– Roll of Honour – Lewis – In loving memory of James Burton (Bert) Lewis, killed in action June 27 1916. And with the morn those Angel faces smile. Which we have loved long since and wait awhile. Sadly missed by his sweetheart Madge, King Street, Prescot.

He was also remembered on the second anniversary of his death in the Liverpool Echo on Friday 28 June 1918: 

LEWIS - In loving memory of Drummer JAMES BURTON (Bert), who fell in action, June 27, 1916, in his 22nd year; second son of W. and S. Lewis, Kingsley. 

His brother Allen W. has a pension record, he was serving as Pte 21692 also in the 19th Bn. KLR. He attested on the 25th Sept 1914 in Liverpool, and was discharged dated 11th March 1915 because of problems with the hernia operation he had 6 years earlier. 

In a sworn declaration in 1919, his father named his surviving family as himself and his wife; sons Allan (25 years), Henry Francis (23 years), George Richard (18 years), Bernard (15 years) and daughters Jessie Mabel (22 years), Doreen (19 years) and Elizabeth Ida (14 years).

His father died on the 17th February 1938, aged 73. 

Chester Chronicle - Saturday 15 February 1941 

LEWIS— ln loving memory of WILLIAM, dear Husband of Sarah Lewis, who passed away Feb. 17th, 1938. Late of Mill Lane, Kingsley.  

Sadly missed by Wife and Children. 

On the 1939 Register mother Sarah, dob 15th June 1866, is living at Pool Bank, Ainsworth Lane, nr Kingsley. She is living with son Eric Richard and married daughter Elizabeth I. Randle. 

His mother died in the March quarter of 1950, aged 83. 

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