Name
Horace Lewin (MM)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/07/1916
36
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
18411
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th (Service) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DANTZIG ALLEY BRITISH CEMETERY, MAMETZ
Plot IV, Row C, Grave 1.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, The Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden, Batford Methodist Church Memorial, Batford, Luton War Memorial, Luton, Beds.
Pre War
Horace was born 1879 in Harpenden, and baptised 27 June 1880
at St Nicholas, Harpenden. On the 1881 Census, aged 2 he lived in Cold Harbour,
Harpenden, with his parents Joseph Lewin and Emma (nee Weston) together with four
siblings. His parents had married 1875
in the Luton district. Joseph died 6
October 1907 aged 57; Emma died 28 February 1909 aged 63; both in Harpenden,
Herts.On the 1891 Census, aged 11 he still lived in Harpenden, with his parents
and eight siblings. On the 1901 Census,
he was serving with the Army in India. On
the 1911 Census, Horace was a police constable with the Herts Constabulary aged
31, he lived in Watford.
Horace married Edith Lilian (nee PORTEUS) in 1915 in the
Watford district, and resided in Watford.
Edith never remarried and died 23 August 1967 in Hitchin, Herts, aged
77.
He originally attested at Mansfield, Notts, on 20 Feb 1896 in the Oxfordshire Light Infantry: a railway porter aged 18, 5’6″ tall, C of E. He was awaiting trial on 2 July 1896 for disobeying a lawful command, released 13 August 1896. Horace deserted 17 October 1896, rejoined and was awaiting trial 3 to 10 November 1896 – 56 days and stoppages as punishment. He served in India from 1 Feb 1898 to 23 Oct 1903. Granted Good Conduct Badge 1 Feb 1898, forfeited 11 Novr 1899, restored 11 Nov 1900; granted a second Good Conduct Badge 11 November 1902. He was Discharged on termination of first period of engagement 28 March 1908.
Wartime Service
On the outbreak of war Horace re-enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment at Luton, Beds, as 18911 Private and was soon promoted to be Acting Serjeant in the 7th Battalion. He went to France with the Battalion on 27 Jul 1915. He was killed in action during the successful attack on Pommiers Redoubt and the ground between Montauban-de-Picardie and Mametz on 1 Jul 1916 (opening day of the battle of the Somme.) He was awarded the Military Medal.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £9 and arrears of £2 18s 3d paid to his widow Edith. Brother Archibald served with 3/Bedfordshire Regiment, Killed in Action 16 Apr 1917. Brother, Ralph, lived in Luton, served with 5/Bedfordshire Regiment Killed in Action 15 Sep 1915, Gallipoli.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk), Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History
Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
