Joseph Edward Lewis was born in 1894, the son of Thomas and Margaret Lewis, Mold Rd, Buckley. Thomas and Margaret were living at Hewitt’s Lane 1901 with children Thomas, William, John, Elizabeth, Joseph Edward, and George. Thomas died in 1908. In 1911 Margaret and the children were at the same address with Joseph Edward then 16 and a coal miner.

Joseph Edward’s sister Elizabeth Ann married John Wynne as inferred from a gravestone (H16) at Bistre Churchyard:

In Loving Memory of John Wynne the beloved husband of Elizabeth Ann JONES of Bistre who died December 23rd 1932 aged 44 years. Also Elizabeth wife of the above who died May 5th 1960 aged 68 years.

Also THOMAS LEWIS who died March 25th 1908 aged 48 years Also Margaret his wife who died February 21st 1924 aged 67 years.  Also JOSEPH EDWARD their son who died in action in France July 2nd 1916 aged 22 years.

Joseph’s death was apparently reported twice in newspaper accounts:

North Wales Coast Pioneer, July 13, 1916

Mrs. Lewis, of South-lane, Mold-road, Buckley, has also received the distressing news that her son, Private John Lewis, of the R.W.F., has fallen on the battlefield. Private Lewis was a bomb thrower and only a few months ago was on leave from France. He was 22 years old. Much sympathy is extended to the bereaved mother, who is a widow

County Herald, September 12, 1916

Lance Corporal Joseph Lewis, of Buckley, has been killed in action. He joined the RWF in the early days of the war and was one of the gallant Welsh who fought at Neuve Chapelle and Loos. It can truly be said that he “did his bit.” He was killed during the present offensive. While in the trenches he composed some sincere and simple verses on the battle of Neuve Chapelle, which are now read by his friends with the additional pathos that comes from the fact that the writer has fallen in the service of his King and Country.

Researcher’s note: I am assuming that “John” in the July article was in fact Joseph, and corresponds to the J. Lewis on the Memorial. I have found no record of a separate John killed in July. Joseph Edward did have a brother John, 6 years older. The age, 22, on CWGC corresponds to Joseph’s age of 6 in the 1901 census. John would have been 26 in 1916.

John Warburton and Joseph Evans also lived in Hewitt’s Lane.