John was born in Birkenhead in1897. He first appeared on a census in 1901 living at Forest Road Birkenhead. Head of the family was William 32, a railway carrier who had been born in Hope. His wife Annie 33, had been born in Overton. Their listed children were William 7, Leslie 6, Jack D 4 and Frank 1. All the children were born in Birkenhead.
The next census of 1911 records that Annie Lewis 43 widow was head of the family and they were living at Turning Row, Overton on Dee. Her listed children were William 17, Samuel 9, and Harold Martin 5. Also included was Doris Aykroyd 6, who was a niece.
John (Jack) 14 was listed on the 1911 census living at Bryn, Ffrith,working on a farm. He was working for his Uncle, Farmer John Lewis 54, head of the household and a widower. Listed in the household were John Lewis’s ‘children’ John Alfred 29 and Katie 27.
Jack’s Medal Card stated that on the 24th June 1922 the Machine Gun Corps (Records), placed a request to dispose of his medals. On the 12th of January 1923, however, Jack’s brother Leslie Lewis (Bangor Road, Overton) applied for his medals which he received on the 25th January 1923.
UK Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 available on Ancestry.co.uk confirms above information and shows that he enlisted in Caergwrle.
The Register of Soldier’s Effects in which the army calculated monies owed to deceased soldiers, lists John Dudley Lewis. It says he was killed in action France or Belgium. His joint legatees were his Mother and 4 brothers . They shared £35..19s..8d.
He does have a record card at Hawarden Record office which was signed by his cousin John Alfred Lewis on the 7th November 1919.