Lewis: Private Arthur William (9376)

B Company, 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

Private Arthur William Lewis

Arthur William Lewis was born in Bristol the son of Robert Lewis (a railway coach builder by trade) and Elizabeth Lewis (who died when he was about 12).

He had a sister Florence who was about three years older than him. His father subsequently moved the family to Gloucester and remarried in 1907, giving his address as 16 Thomas Villas, Tudor Street, Bristol Road, Gloucester.

Arthur attended Linden Road School in the city and was a keen participant in the school’s football league.

When he enlisted, in Gloucester, as a regular soldier in the last week of August 1910, Arthur was barely 17 years old. He was posted to the 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment as Private 9376.

His father and step-mother were still living at the Tudor Street address at the outbreak of the war. Prior to embarking for France, Arthur served with his Battalion at Cambridge Barracks, Portsmouth and at Bordon, Hampshire.

Arthur crossed to France with the 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment on 13 August 1914, most probably the first time that he had been abroad – just over two months later he was killed in action whist serving with B Company of his battalion. Arthur lost his life during the Battle of
Langemarck (21-24 October 1914), First Battle of Ypres, one of the 32 officers and men of the battalion who lost their lives during the battle. Of the 32 who were killed, 25, including Arthur, have no known grave and are commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Private Ar thur William Lewis is also remembered on the Gloucester City war memorial and on the war memorial which once stood in St Stephen’s Church, Linden Road, Gloucester and which is now preserved in St Paul and St Stephen’s Church, Stroud Road, Gloucester.

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