Arthur Lewis
From Our Contribution
 Courtesy Joy Dalgelish | |
 King's Park memorial walk, May drive | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c August 1894 |
| Place of Birth | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Death | 28 Feb 1917 |
| Place of Death | Warlencourt, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 7 months |
| Occupation | Tally clerk |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | Newtown, Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Joseph Lewis |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5039 |
| Date of Enlistment | 20 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Jul 1916 ‒ 9 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A48 Seang Bee |
| Fate | Killed in Action 28 Feb 1917 near Warlencourt, France |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale War Memorial Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
Arthur was born in Jarrahdale, Western Australia in July 1894 to Joseph and Marry Ann Lewis. He was the younger brother of Reginald and Herbert Lewis and had other siblings, including a sister Daphne. The brothers attended Jarrahdale School and played football with local teams. Arthur joined his brother Herbert and father at the town mill and progressed to the role of timber clerk.
War Service
He enlisted at Blackboy Hill with brother Reginald Lewis and brother-in-law Thomas Sheehan in March 1916. After training at Blackboy Hill, they were posted to the 13 Reinforcements of 28th Battalion and they embarked on HMAT A48 Seang Bee at Fremantle in July 1916. On arrival in England Arthur was sent to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone.
A month later (16 Nov 1916) he proceeded overseas to France on the HMT Victoria. Arriving in Étaples he was held on strength of the 2nd Australian Division Base Depot for a fortnight for further specialist training before being sent to Segregation Camp from 9 Dec 1916 until 6 Jan 1917.
Taken on strength by the 28th Battalion on 27 Jan 1917, at a time when they were alternating in and out of the line south of the Albert - Bapaume road near Warlencourt. On 28 Feb 1917 they were again in the line holding a line of outposts. That evening they were involved in a series of bombing raids against what was known as Malt Trench. While they took casualties early, the attack finally floundered under heavy machine gun fire, and finding themselves confronted with unbroken wire defenses.
The battalion's war diary suggests little action occurred on 28 Feb 1917, with the first attack against a strong point in Malt trench occurring on 1 Mar 1917. Contrary to his official death date, this is the most likely action that led to Arthur's death, as the Field Services Report of his death was based on a Casualty Report dated 5 Mar 1917.
Arthur's mother was granted pension of 30/- to go with the 30/- per fortnight she was receiving following the death of Herbert George.
Notes
Buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery, France (Plot IV, Row J, Grave No 11)