Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Captain Cecil Charles Humphreys Lewin (MC)
- Age: 31
- From: Radstock, Somerset
- Regiment: 4 SOMERSET LI
- Died on Saturday 2nd November 1918
- Commemorated at: Querenaing Cc
Panel Ref: A.9
Cecil Charles Humphreys Lewin was born in the summer of 1887 in Radstock, Somerset, the son of Charles John Lewin and his wife Sarah (née Humphreys). His parents were both born in Reading, and married there in 1886 and had six sons. Cecil had younger brothers Nelson John, born in 1888, (but died in infancy), Kenneth Robert 1889, Rex Richard 1894, Claud John 1898, and Wilfred Roy 1900.
He was baptised in the Parish Church, Radstock, on 04th September 1887, his parents’ residence given as Radstock, and his father’s occupation schoolmaster.
In 1891 his parents with two sons and a domestic servant are living in Radstock, specific address not listed, simply, “towards the church and police station”. His father, 32, is a schoolmaster, and his mother, 34, a school mistress, in the elementary school. Cecil is 3, and Kenneth 1.
Cecil won a County Scholarship and went into residence at Sexey’s Trade School, (reported in the Somerset Standard, 10th August 1900) “where he will remain three years and receive instruction in practical woodwork and metalwork as well as in the ordinary branches of education”. All five brothers attended Sexey’s School in Bruton, and all won prizes and distinctions whilst there.
On the 1901 census Cecil is a boarding pupil, in Cliffe House, Sexey’s School, Bruton. His parents are living in Radstock with brothers Kenneth, 11, Rex, 7, Claud, 2, and Wilfred, 6 months. His father, 42, is a schoolmaster and his mother, 44, a school mistress (elementary) at the National School. On leaving the school in about 1903 Cecil attended Battersea Training College.
By 1911 Cecil has moved to Liverpool, and is pursuing a teaching career. The census finds him boarding with Owen and Mary Parry and family at 7 Feltwell Road, Anfield. Cecil is 23, single, an assistant schoolmaster employed by the education committee. His parents, both headteachers, and youngest brother Wilfred, 10, reside at Church School, Radstock. His brother Claude, 12, is at Sexey’s School; Rex, 17, is an agricultural student boarding with his uncle and aunt, John and Jane Clacy, in Reading.
Cecil enlisted in September 1914 joining the 19th (Pals) Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 21416.
Soon afterwards he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major.
During the Battle of the Somme, in the murderous fighting for Trones Wood on July 10th-12th 1916, Cecil was awarded the Military Cross, (London Gazette on 25/8/1916):
"For conspicious gallantry and devotion to duty in action. When his Captain was wounded he took command, and,though wounded in shoulder and arm, continued to encourage his men and direct their fire until wounded a third time in the lung. He even staggered up again and continued to control his men till he fell from exhaustion."
As the above description ably demonstrates, he was severely wounded and evacuated to the U.K. with shoulder, arm, and chest wounds.
Formed on 07th September 1914 the 19th 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.
He achieved the rank of Sergeant and shipped to France with his battalion, disembarking at Boulogne on 07th November 1915.Soon afterwards he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major.
During the Battle of the Somme, in the murderous fighting for Trones Wood on July 10th-12th 1916, Cecil was awarded the Military Cross, (London Gazette on 25/8/1916):
"For conspicious gallantry and devotion to duty in action. When his Captain was wounded he took command, and,though wounded in shoulder and arm, continued to encourage his men and direct their fire until wounded a third time in the lung. He even staggered up again and continued to control his men till he fell from exhaustion."
As the above description ably demonstrates, he was severely wounded and evacuated to the U.K. with shoulder, arm, and chest wounds.
His award of the M.C. was featured in the Liverpool Daily Post, on 28th August 1916:
“M.C. For Liverpool Teacher”
“Company Sergeant Major C.C.H. Lewin, one of the recent recipients of the Military Cross, was, before the outbreak of war, an assistant master at Queen’s Road Council School, Liverpool, and hon. secretary of the Liverpool Class Teachers’ Association. The record of the splendid heroism which earned for him the decoration tells that he took command after his captain was wounded, and, although he himself received wounds in his shoulder and arm, continued to lead his men with encouragement and direction until wounded a third time in the lung. Even after his third wound he staggered up again and continued to control his men until he fell from exhaustion. Mr. Lewin is now in Hyde Park Hospital, Plymouth, happily recovering. He is a member of a heroic family, for two of his brothers, commissioned officers, have lost their lives at the front.”
“M.C. For Liverpool Teacher”
“Company Sergeant Major C.C.H. Lewin, one of the recent recipients of the Military Cross, was, before the outbreak of war, an assistant master at Queen’s Road Council School, Liverpool, and hon. secretary of the Liverpool Class Teachers’ Association. The record of the splendid heroism which earned for him the decoration tells that he took command after his captain was wounded, and, although he himself received wounds in his shoulder and arm, continued to lead his men with encouragement and direction until wounded a third time in the lung. Even after his third wound he staggered up again and continued to control his men until he fell from exhaustion. Mr. Lewin is now in Hyde Park Hospital, Plymouth, happily recovering. He is a member of a heroic family, for two of his brothers, commissioned officers, have lost their lives at the front.”
The Liverpool Courier also reported:
“The teachers of Liverpool have this week been delighted to hear of the recognition of Company-Sergeant-Major Lewin's bravery, by the award of the Military Cross, and are looking forward to giving him a hearty welcome on his release from hospital. The offical record has, happily for him and us, slightly exaggerated the seriouness of his wounds, for he is now assured that there is no injury to his lung, although a bullet is so deeply embedded near his left lung that the doctors cannot at present extract it. His shoulder wound is progressing satisfactorily, and we hope he will soon be quite convalescent.”
“The teachers of Liverpool have this week been delighted to hear of the recognition of Company-Sergeant-Major Lewin's bravery, by the award of the Military Cross, and are looking forward to giving him a hearty welcome on his release from hospital. The offical record has, happily for him and us, slightly exaggerated the seriouness of his wounds, for he is now assured that there is no injury to his lung, although a bullet is so deeply embedded near his left lung that the doctors cannot at present extract it. His shoulder wound is progressing satisfactorily, and we hope he will soon be quite convalescent.”
After his recuperation he was discharged to commission on 25th April 1917 and Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant, 4th Bn Somerset Light Infantry (London Gazette, 10th May 1917).
Cecil returned to the front, was promoted to Captain, and was killed in action on 02nd November 1918, just days before the Armistice.
He now rests at Quérénaing Communal Cemetery, Nord, France, where his epitaph reads,
“UNTIL THE DAY DAWNS”.
There are now over 20, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. The majority were buried by their comrades in late October and early November, 1918. One of these graves was brought from QUERENAING CHURCHYARD after the Armistice.
He now rests at Quérénaing Communal Cemetery, Nord, France, where his epitaph reads,
“UNTIL THE DAY DAWNS”.
There are now over 20, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. The majority were buried by their comrades in late October and early November, 1918. One of these graves was brought from QUERENAING CHURCHYARD after the Armistice.
His death was announced in the Bath Chronicle, on 30th November 1918:
“Mr. C. J. Lewin’s Latest Bereavement - Captain C. C. H. Lewin, M.C., who fell at the age of 31, while gallantly leading his men on November 2nd, during the very last engagement in which his regiment took part, was the eldest son of Mr. C. J. Lewin of Weston Super Mare, formerly of Radstock, now county librarian. Captain Lewin joined as a private in the King’s (Liverpool Regiment) immediately after the outbreak of war. He soon became sergeant and went out to France. Shortly afterwards he was made company sergeant major on the field. In the battle for Trones Wood, his commanding officer having become a casualty, he carried on, not withstanding two severe wounds. A third bullet, which knocked him out, was not extracted until eleven months afterwards. Upon his recovering, after a long illness, he was given a commission in the Somerset Light Infantry and, returning to France, was promoted to Captain. He won the M.C. For conspicuous gallantry. Two of his brothers had already fallen, Capt. Rex Lewin being killed in September, 1915, and Lieut. Kenneth Lewin in March, 1916. A younger brother, Lieut. Claud Lewin, won the Military Cross last year, and was badly wounded, and another, the youngest, is at present a cadet in the R.A.F.”
“Mr. C. J. Lewin’s Latest Bereavement - Captain C. C. H. Lewin, M.C., who fell at the age of 31, while gallantly leading his men on November 2nd, during the very last engagement in which his regiment took part, was the eldest son of Mr. C. J. Lewin of Weston Super Mare, formerly of Radstock, now county librarian. Captain Lewin joined as a private in the King’s (Liverpool Regiment) immediately after the outbreak of war. He soon became sergeant and went out to France. Shortly afterwards he was made company sergeant major on the field. In the battle for Trones Wood, his commanding officer having become a casualty, he carried on, not withstanding two severe wounds. A third bullet, which knocked him out, was not extracted until eleven months afterwards. Upon his recovering, after a long illness, he was given a commission in the Somerset Light Infantry and, returning to France, was promoted to Captain. He won the M.C. For conspicuous gallantry. Two of his brothers had already fallen, Capt. Rex Lewin being killed in September, 1915, and Lieut. Kenneth Lewin in March, 1916. A younger brother, Lieut. Claud Lewin, won the Military Cross last year, and was badly wounded, and another, the youngest, is at present a cadet in the R.A.F.”
Cecil is honoured in Sexey’s school magazine:
“Captain Cecil C. H. Lewin, M.C. - The death of Lewin is particularly sad, coming as it did, just at the end of the war. He was killed on Nov. 2nd., instantaneously, shot through the head by a sniper’s bullet, whilst gallantly leading his Company to clear up a village strongly held by the enemy. He was buried in a British Military Cemetery at Quérenaing, near Valenciennes. His fellow officers have written high praise of his energy and popularity, and his Commanding Officer speaks of him in terms of great appreciation and regard. It would have been difficult for Lewin to be unpopular anywhere. He came to Sexey’s in 1900 and is remembered at School for his great earnestness and steadiness. After leaving school he went to Battersea Training College and thence to Liverpool. He joined the Liverpool Regiment at the outbreak of war and went to France as a sergeant. Shortly afterwards he was made Company Sergeant Major on the field. He was wounded in the Battle for Trones Wood and received the M.C. for conspicuous gallantry. Upon his recovery, he was given a commission in the Somerset L.I. and returning to France soon reached the rank of captain.”
“Captain Cecil C. H. Lewin, M.C. - The death of Lewin is particularly sad, coming as it did, just at the end of the war. He was killed on Nov. 2nd., instantaneously, shot through the head by a sniper’s bullet, whilst gallantly leading his Company to clear up a village strongly held by the enemy. He was buried in a British Military Cemetery at Quérenaing, near Valenciennes. His fellow officers have written high praise of his energy and popularity, and his Commanding Officer speaks of him in terms of great appreciation and regard. It would have been difficult for Lewin to be unpopular anywhere. He came to Sexey’s in 1900 and is remembered at School for his great earnestness and steadiness. After leaving school he went to Battersea Training College and thence to Liverpool. He joined the Liverpool Regiment at the outbreak of war and went to France as a sergeant. Shortly afterwards he was made Company Sergeant Major on the field. He was wounded in the Battle for Trones Wood and received the M.C. for conspicuous gallantry. Upon his recovery, he was given a commission in the Somerset L.I. and returning to France soon reached the rank of captain.”
Cecil earned his three medals. He served for over four years.
Probate was granted to his father, at “Casa”, Elmsleigh Road, Weston super Mare, effects £544-1s-3d.
His brother, Rex, earned a B.Sc. and was Commissioned Captain in the 3rd Bn Royal Sussex Regiment. He was killed on 25th September 1915, and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. He was 21.
Their mother Sarah died not long afterwards, in January 1916.
His brother, Kenneth earned a first class degree at Trinity College, Cambridge, was acknowledged as a brilliant biologist, and conducted research in Munich and Naples. He enlisted at the beginnng of the war and was commissioned Lieutenant in the 7th Bn, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. He was killed in action on 09th March 1916 and now rests at Bard Cottage Cemetery, Flanders. He was 26.
Their father suffered the loss of two sons and his wife in the space of six months and would suffer yet more loss when his eldest son was killed the end of the war. He lived through the Second World War and died in October 1945, aged 86.
Claude earned a degree from Trinity College, Cambridge. He was commissioned Lieutenant in the Somerset Light Infantry, was severely wounded, and won the Military Cross in 1917. He survived the war, went on to work for the Colonial Office in Nigeria and headed the Dept. of Agriculture in Northern Rhodesia. He died in Colchester in 1987.
The youngest brother Wilfred joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1918, later graduated from Trinity College Cambridge and became Headmaster of Monmouth School. He died in 1992 in Somerset.
Cecil, Kenneth, and Rex are commemorated on the Radstock Memorial, Avon and Sexey’s School Roll of Honour.
Cecil is also commemorated on the following Memorials:
National Union of Teachers Roll of Honour
Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 65 Left.
National Union of Teachers Roll of Honour
Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 65 Left.
We currently have no further information on Cecil Charles Humphreys Lewin. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
Grateful thanks are extended to Linda Michelini Wood for the biograpy provided here and to Dave Bohl for permission to use the photograph of Cecil Charles.
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