Charles Stephen LEWIS
Born 2 May 1885 in Brentwood, South Australia [55]
Son of James LEWIS and Annie PEARSON [55]
Labourer in Three Springs, Western Australia in 1912 and 1913 [9] [50]
Attended the inaugural 'Three Springs Day' picnic in a paddock on Eastbourne Farm in Three Springs on 12 September 1912 [9]
The Three Springs Day became an annual event that eventually transitioned into the Three Springs Agricultural Show [191]
He came 2nd in the 15-inch Salmon Gum log chopping competition at the first Three Springs Day in 1912 [9: 20-Sep-1912]
Won £5 in a raffle at the Bazaar and Monster Sports Carnival held in Three Springs on Saint Patrick's Day in 1913 [9: 28-Mar-1913]
Along with Jack HACKETT he organised a log chopping competition for juveniles in Three Springs aged about 15 to 17 years [9]
The juvenile comp was held at the Three Springs Coffee Palace on 3 May 1913, with the winner receiving a guinea [9: 9-May-1913]
Labourer in Carnamah, Western Australia in 1914 [19]
Initially worked in Carnamah for contractor Benjamin LEACH [19]
Later worked as a labourer for Arthur G. DARLING on the Inering Estate in Carnamah [19]
Farm Contractor in Geraldton in early 1915 [30: item 8193772]
Enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Geraldton on 26 February 1915 [30: item 8193772]
Upon enlistment he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighed 126 pounds and had blue eyes, light brown hair and a fair complexion [30]
He gave his next of kin as his father, whose address was Sunny Vale Farm, Norseman Road in Esperance, Western Australia [30]
He was appointed on 1 March 1916 at Blackboy Hill to the Australian Imperial Force's No. 9 Depot Company [30]
After training he was appointed to A Company of the Australian Imperial Force's 28th Battalion [30]
Embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia for active service abroad on the H.M.A.T. A11 Ascanius on 29 June 1915 [18]
Private 115 in the Australian Imperial Force's 28th Battalion in Turkey, Egypt and France during the First World War [30]
Suffered a gunshot would to his right leg at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey on 17 October 1915 [30]
Received treatment at the 16th Casualty Clearing Station and was then admitted to the hospital ship Soudan on 24 October [30]
After time recovering at Ghajn Tuffieha in Malta, he embarked for Egypt on 11 February 1916 and returned to duty on 6 March [30]
Embarked from Alexandria, Egypt on 16 March 1916 and disembarked in Marseilles, France [30]
In France he was attached to the Anzac Kit Company on 21 April 1916 and then the 7th Machine Gun Company on 15 July [30]
Wounded in Action in France on 6 August 1916 and was admitted to the No. 4 Field Ambulance with wounds to both legs [30]
His father was advised: "... son Private Charles S. Lewis dangerously ill gunshot wound legs will furnish progress report" [30]
He was transferred to the No. 13 Stationary Hospital in Boulonge, France where both of his legs were amputated [30]
Died of wounds on 14 August 1916 in France; buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France [17] [30: item 819377]
For his service he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal [30: item 819377]
His father was sent his personal effects in three consignments, which collectively consisted of cards, letters, photos, mirror, [30]
two brushes, housewife (sewing kit), writing pad, three knives, razor, safety razor in case, boot pad, seven handkerchiefs, [30]
identity disc, 33 coins, metal soap box, pipe, metal tobacco box, tin, pocket book, belt, oil stone, buttons and linen bag [30]
His father, who later resided in South Australia, was also sent three photos of his grave and his Memorial Plaque [30]
His brother John Percival LEWIS, of the 10th Light Horse Regiment, had been Killed in Action at Gallipoli on 7 August 1915 [94]
Their brother Archie Gordon LEWIS, of the 16th Battalion, was Killed in Action in France on 1 September 1916 [94]
In 1920 his father requested that the names of his three fallen sons be placed together on the Australian War Memorial [30]
From The Kalgoorlie Miner newspaper, Tuesday 26 September 1916:
"Our Esperance correspondent writes:--Mr J. Lewis of Circle Valley, in the Esperance district, has received news of the death of his son, Charles Stephen Lewis, from wounds received whilst fighting in France. Mr Lewis has been farming in the mallee lands for many years. Four of his sons wet to the front, two have been killed, and other two are still fighting. The sympathy of all is extended Mr Lewis."
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Charles Stephen Lewis' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 19 December 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/charles-stephen-lewis [reference list] |
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