Back in the spring of 2025
My brother messaged me over the weekend
“Ok mate, long story, going to make it short…are you up some point in the summer to join me and dad and maybe others on a pilgrimage of sorts to Northern France and the Somme battlefields, possibly summer months, looking maybe end of august”
My interest was piqued by this request and as Tim started to explain. I’ve always been led to believe that none of our ancestors had gone to the battlefront, that most of them worked from the relative safety of the home front, rather than the Western.
It turns out that I was wrong. I learnt this year that I had a great great Uncle called Arthur Lewis, my second cousin Gabrielle has long been researching the lives of the Forest of Dean ancestors and had found in the archives some photos of Arthur, who was a fantastic football player and someone who many people were very fond of.
Sadly he died in one of the worst conflicts any of our soldiers have ever fought, the battle of The Somme.
Historical context
Arthur is seated on the far-left at the front
Broadwell Amateur Football Club
PTE. ARTHUR LEWIS, BROADWELL LANE END (transcription from news cutting above)
To the list of Foresters killed must this week also be added the name of Arthur Lewis, of Broadwell. The communication regarding his death was received by Mr. Philip Powell, of Broadwell, who himself is referred to in another column. Mr. P. Powell had one son in the trenches and three brothers, and has one invalided home, who is now in an advanced stage of a serious complaint. Mr. Powell’s son “Herb,” writing says:— “Dear Mother,—I am very sorry to have to tell you that A. Lewis is killed. He did not feel much of a blow. He was struck through the chest with six bullets, and did not live long after he got it. I did not see him, for I was at the front, and was back in the support; but a chap that was with him, and who wrote the letter, was near to Arthur when he was hit.” Upon this visit of our representative to the home, Mr. Lewis stated they generally received a field card and a letter weekly, but they had not received either now for a fortnight, and upon the writer of the letter they could place every confidence. Therefore, already the finger pointed to the sad accuracy of the statement. Arthur Lewis was known throughout East and West Dean as a fine “scorerite.” He was said to be one of the smartest who had ever turned out on a Forest field. He was one of the mainstays of the Broadwell Amateurs, and was largely instrumental in leading them up to the pinnacles of fame and efficiency which, when sport was in full swing, the club so much enjoyed. His proper place was at back. There he was thoroughly reliable, and the laurels had often fallen to the “Amis” through the dexterity and judgment of A. Lewis. A win had been placed to the club’s account often through his services. Pte. Lewis was the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Lewis, and they have still another brother, Fred, doing his bit, and have lost one, who was killed early in the campaign (Pte. Sargeant, Monmouth), who, had he lived, might also have been closely related. Arthur joined about two years ago with some other mates. He was attached to the Gloucesters, and early in his regiment met Fritz in many a deadly conflict. He was home last October, injured by the falling in of the trench he occupied, and returned to the front in March last. As fate ruled, his regiment and mates were sent elsewhere, whilst Arthur was in England. The deceased soldier was a Fountain inn lad. It was one of his outstanding features in the work, at home, and on the field of sport. He was one of the few who could smile when things were apparently going wrong. He was one of the most popular young fellows in the Broadwell district; too, and his demise is truly a regrettable loss. Anyone who knew him on the field or pit can well and naturally praise his grim determination, his tenacity of purpose, and his bright and humorous wit. A good word was seldom denied him. A great amount of the country’s trust was reposed in him. For season after season he held an important place in the coveted trophy, and he worked on many of a friendly conflict cheerily and conscientiously. One could see that, no matter who he was, he was well assured, not lacking in his duty when meeting his country’s foes.
My tribute
When I first heard about Arthur, I was very sad but equally proud. I kind of knew that there was someone that my grandparents never really told us much about and that Gabrielle (who is my Dad's cousin, my second cousin) had long been keen to find out more about and through her excellent efforts, we now know more of the facts. There is a lot more we can find out. We do have a reasonable idea of where he is buried but the trouble is, many of the war graves in Northern France are numbered as far as I understand it. Let's put this into context, hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives during the First World War, the records of burials are therefore vast. We believe he was laid to rest somewhere in the Thiepval area.
Tim's tribute
My brother Tim Lewis, a film maker and historian who now runs https://www.thelondonwalker.com and has made a big success of his guided tours around the city, recently took some time out to record this special tribute to all of those who lost their lives in the many wars fought and paid tribute to Arthur at the same time. You can watch this on YouTube below.
To be continued
We will no doubt make that trip at some point, it didn't happen this year but I am sure that we will try again in the future. When we do, I shall document it here. We hope to take our Dad with us whilst he is still able and Gabrielle too, for doing all of the research, finding out where we can find his memorial.
So many. I can't even imagine the national grief. For some families, it was better not to talk about it - everyone had someone they knew who'd died out there so what would be the use in individual sorrow? I found a few ancestors when I did the fam tree, both on memorials in Somerset. Lest we forget, not just them, but the men who die in all fucked up wars.
It’s hard to believe no family was impacted by any war. All of which happen for the same reasons. Powerful fucked up men.
Hey, @nicklewis. Same name on Discord? I have an invite for you.
Ah it’s nickeblewis there! I look forward to receiving my invite.
Lovely! I absolutely loved your post. I was so busy when I dropped your reply asking about your discord username . So sorry that I needed to do that before I could respond to your beautiful post.
Very Interesting looks like a big family lots of branches to explore.
We’re not that big a family now but in our past we probably were. Well my grandmother was one of five children I think. I need to return to researching my family tree.