Cpl
Thomas Norman Lewis

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortedatum:
02/01/1890
Geboorteplaats:
Courtown, County Wexford, Ierland, Verenigd Koninkrijk

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Arbeider

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Ierland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Strijdmacht:
British Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Corporal
Service nummer:
56682
Dienstneming datum:
19/01/1915
Dienstneming plaats:
Shepherd's Bush, Middlesex, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Eenheden:
 —  Royal Garrison Artillery, 321st Siege Bty.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
08/08/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Parochie St.-Pieter, Ieper, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
27

Begraafplaats

Voormezele Enclosure No. 3
Plot: XIV
Rij: B
Graf: 1

Onderscheidingen en medailles 2

British War Medal
Medaille — 11/12/1919
Victory Medal
Medaille — 11/12/1919

Points of interest 2

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats

Mijn verhaal

Corporal Thomas Norman Lewis served in the 321st Siege Battery, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, which participated in the Third Battle of Ypres.

The 321st Siege Battery RGA moved from England to Flanders during the month of May 1917. On the 19th the men positioned their guns among the ruins of Ypres, in the Saint Peter’s Parish, north of the Lille Gate. A few days later they started targeting German positions and artillery batteries. In wake of the offensive that would start on the 31st of July 1917 they frequently targeted German positions near Sterling Castle, along the Menin Road.

However the German artillery was equally on its toes and the 321st Siege Battery was shelled on an almost daily bases. Notwithstanding the persistent German counter shelling and the mounting casualties the Siege Battery remained at its positions in Ypres.

On the 8th of August 1917 the 321st Siege Battery and billets were heavily shelled. Six NCO’s and men were killed at the Siege Battery position. Acting Corporal Lewis, Acting Bombardier Hughes, Gunners Wesson, Balls, Moorman and Routley all lost their lives on the fateful day. Despite the shelling the men still continued on the operation targets, firing 400 rounds.

All six men of the Royal Garrison Artillery 321st Siege Battery who were killed in action on the 8th of August 1917 were buried near Withuis Cottage and Swan Chateau, to the south of Ypres. Their remains were exhumed after the war and reinterred on Voormezele Enclosure No. 3.

Bestanden 2

Bronnen 1

Army Troops. 321 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/217/7).
Verdere verwijzing

Meer informatie 3