Personal Details
John Grant Lewis was born in Green End, Whitchurch in 1894. He was the only son of John and Ellen Lewis of 75 Green End, Whitchurch. He was a saddler by trade.
John was a member of the Church Lads Brigade in Whitchurch when he enlisted on the 21st September 1914. He landed in France on the 16th November 1915.
Military Details
Regiment : 16th (Service) Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps (Church Lads Brigade)
Rank : Rifleman
Service Number : C/456
Killed in Action; France 15th July 1916 Age 22
The 1914 Star (also known as 'Pip') was authorised under Special Army Order no. 350 in November 1917 and by an Admiralty Fleet Order in 1918, for award to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight of 22–23 November 1914. The former date is the day after Britain's declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres.
The 1914–15 Star (also known as 'Pip') was instituted in December 1918 and was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served against the Central European Powers in any theatre of the Great War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. The period of eligibility was prior to the introduction of the Military Service Act 1916, which instituted conscription in Britain.
The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
Further Information
A report in the Wellington Journal & Shrewsbury News December 1916 regarding the death of John Grant Lewis.
“The deepest sympathy is felt by all for Mr and Mrs John Lewis of Green End, Whitchurch, in the death of their only son, Rifleman John Grant Lewis, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, who was killed in France during an attack in a wood . The fallen soldier who was 22 years old had won the admiration of his officers for his work on wire in front of the trenches. He was a saddler by trade.”
Wellington Journal & Shrewsbury News December 1916
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Information provided by Terry Evanson Whitchurch, Shropshire and Whitchurch Museum and Archives