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 George Henry Lewis. Their family stories are the same.
In the 1891 census the Lewis family was living 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.
UK Soldiers who Died in The Great War 1914-19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental details above . It tells us that he enlisted in Hawarden and had died in Turkey. His medal card, also on ‘Ancestry’ details his medal entitlement.
James Harold Lewis in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the Sole Legatee was his father Henry who was paid £27. 5s 1d on the 18th February 1919 and his War Gratuity of £16 on the 19th December 1919.
There is a card for James Harold Lewis in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Record Office. This gives the address 3 Pottery Cottages Ewloe Green and confirms the regimental details above. It was signed by his father who wrote ‘Palestine died prisoner of war in Turkey’. ‘Date not known’.
Henry & Caroline had 1 son left out of their 4 boys. They had lost them from 3rd November 1917 – 20th July 1918 – in just over 8 months.
The 3 brothers are all remembered on the Hawarden War Memorial, but only George Henry and James Harold are remembered on the Connah’s Quay War Memorial but only George is remembered on the St. Ethelwold’s Church Screen.