Name
William Lewis
24/02/1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/05/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Stoker 1st Class
SS/106392
Royal Navy
(RFR/PO/B/5869). H.M.S. "Invincible."
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
18
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial to the missing at sea.
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Christ Church (formerly Holy Trinity Church) Memorial, Waltham Cross
Pre War
William Lewis was born in Clapton, Hackney, London, on 24th February 1888, son of Samson Lewis a, Labourer and Elizabeth Lewis (nee Reid). One of twelve children although six died in infancy.
He was Baptised at St. James the Great, Clapton, London, on 13th May 1888. At the time the family were living at 12 Lee Bridge Road, Clapton, London.
1891 Census records William aged 3, living with his parents, brothers Charles (5) and Albert (6 months) at, 12 Lee Bridge Road, Clapton.
1901 Census records William aged 13, at school, living with his parents, brothers Charles (15), Albert (9), sisters Florence (8) and Emmie (7) at, 35 Alexander Road, Cheshunt, Herts.
William enlisted in the Royal Navy on 21st Jan 1908, aged 19, for 5 years, with the colours and 7 years in the Reserve, giving his occupation as a Packer at a Gunpowder Factory. He was issued with the service number SS/106392.
1911 Census, William and brother Albert are recorded as sailor (possible home on leave) living with their parents and brother Frank (5) at, 185 Eleanor Cross Road, Waltham Cross, Herts. The family had four boarders, the Allen family and Solomon Warren.
William married Lillian Maria Langridge of Willesden, Middx, at St. Mary Magdaline, Enfield, Middx, on 25th May 1912. They went on to have two children Ernest Lewis born June 1913 and Sturdee Albert Charles Lewis born January 1915.
On 19th January 1913, William was transferred to the Royal Naval Reserve, Portsmouth.
Wartime Service
William was called-up/Volunteered on the 2nd August 1914, reporting to HMS Victory II, at Portsmouth, where he was posted to HMS “Invincible” on 15th August 1914.
At the time of his death, he was still serving aboard HMS “Invincible”.
HMS “Invincible” was sunk on 31st May 1916, during the Battle of Jutland (Battle of Jutland 31st May – 1st June 1916), she was hit by five shells from the German SMS Derfflinger and SMS Lutzow, the last shell struck the “Q” Turret blowing off the roof, setting fire to the magazine store causing an explosion which broke the ship in two, with the loss of 1026 crew only 6 crew survived. Williams body was not recovered, he is Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, to the missing at sea.
Additional Information
Lillian received a widow’s pension of 18/6 a week from 30th November 1916.
His younger brother Albert Edward Lewis also served in the Royal Navy. He was drowned in the English Channel on 10th June 1917, serving aboard H.M.T.B “117”.
Both brothers held the rank of “Stocker 1st Class”.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
