A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars

Three: Second Lieutenant J. W. Lewis, Devonshire Regiment, died of wounds received in action on the Somme, 15 July 1916

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut., Devon. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.) extremely fine (2) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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John Walter Lewis was born in Devonport on 6 May 1896, and educated at Bath College, and King William College, Isle of Man. He died of wounds received in action during the Battle of The Somme, 15 July 1916, whilst serving with “A” Company, 3rd Battalion, attached 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. He is buried in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.

The following is extracted from the Devonshire regimental history, and details an action on 14 July 1916 on the Somme: ‘Directly the guns opened the men leapt up, and a wild rush carried them into the trenches, almost before the Germans could put up any fight. On the right “A” Company met little resistance, and after clearing the trench and bombing the dug-outs, forged ahead to their second objective, which roughly corresponded to the Eastern portion of Circus Trench as far as the point where it turns north into the wood. This line, too, they successfully secured.

By 3:45 consolidation had been begun, while patrols which were pushed out to clear up the wood gathered in some sixty more prisoners. It was during this consolidation that the company was so unfortunate as to lose its commander, Lieutenant J. W. Lewis, who had taken command when Captain Tregelles was killed at Mansel Copse; he led the advance with skill, and by clever handling of his men had brought them so close up when the attack opened that they were into the hostile line without giving the Germans a chance to resist effectively.’

The following is extracted from a letter written to Lewis’ parents by his Colonel, and published in The British Roll of Honour, Empires Heroes: ‘He was badly wounded on the 14th July in the attack on Bazentin-le-Grand Wood. He was in command of one of the leading companies... He had led his men in the most extraordinarily brave manner, and the men of his company told me he led them right up against our artillery barrage and then got at once into the German trench, and the great success we gained was entirely due to him and his gallantry...”

Sold with several photocopied pages from the King William College magazine, The Barrovian, in which detailed letters written by Lewis on 4th and 7th July 1916, regarding his experiences on the Somme are published.

See Lot 1193 for the medals to his brother.