Three brothers from this family were killed in the war and each has his own page on this website. Follow the links to read the stories of Joseph Edward Lewis and James Harold Lewis. Their family stories are the same.
George Henry Lewis first appeared on a census in 1891. He was living with his parents at Pentrobin, Hawarden, Flintshire. Henry and Caroline Lewis (nee Jones) had married in Wrexham, in a Civil Ceremony in 1888.( WM/031/19 ). The census recorded the household comprising Henry Lewis, 27 a Bricklayer who had been born in Hawarden. His wife Caroline 24 had been born in Penyffordd, Flintshire. Their son George H. Lewis was a 7 month old baby who had also been born in Penyffordd.
The 1901 census records the family living at The Warren, Broughton, Hawarden, Flintshire. Henry 37, was still a Bricklayer and an employer working from home. Caroline was 34. Their listed children were George Henry 10, Miria (sic) 8, Caroline 6, James 4 and Joseph 2. All the children were said to have been born in Hawarden, Flintshire.
In 1911 the family had moved again, to Hope Station, Penyffordd. Henry 47, was still a Bricklayer. Caroline, his wife of 20 years was 44. Six children had been born to them and they were all were still living. Listed at home were Maria E. 18. James Harold 14 who was a Brusher up at the Ironworks. Joseph Edward 12 and Charles 7 were both at school.
In the 1911 census George Henry, 20, was recorded at Nine Houses. He was a Boarder at the home of Robert Jones and his wife and family. There were two other boarders too. George was working in the Steelworks in the Steel Bars Rolling Mill.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental information above and tells us that he was born in Shotton and enlisted in Chester and that he died of wounds in Palestine. His medal card also on ‘Ancestry’ details his medal entitlement and tells us that his first Theatre of War was in France and he entered therein on 22nd November 1915
There is an index card for George Henry Lewis in the Flintshire Roll of Honour in the County Record Office at Hawarden. It quotes the address Pottery Cottages, Ewloe Green and tells us that he served for 3 years. Henry Lewis had the sad task of completing a card for each of his three sons. He and his wife Caroline had only one remaining son by the end of the war.
George is named twice on the Hawarden Cenotaph, once in the main and once on the front of the Cenotaph, I wonder if it is the same man, if it is, why?
George Henry and James Harold are named on the Connah’s Quay War Memorial, but not their brother Joseph Edward.
A George Lewis is named on the Memorial Plaque in St.Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay. and on the Memorial screen in St Ethelwold’s Church. Whether this is the same George Lewis is not clear. can anyone help?