Lewer, Ernest 1919

Ernest William was the 3rd child of William and Eliza Lewer, he was born in Reading in 1882. In June of 1898 at the age of 15 Ernest joined the Army, the Royal Fusiliers, 4th Battalion.

He is described as being 5′ 51/2″ tall with grey eyes and light brown hair. He served 12 years with the Royal Fusiliers reaching the rank of Lance Corporal and serving in garrisons across the world; Malta, Gibraltar, Eygpt, Bermuda and South Africa.  He was discharged in June 1910 and worked as a labourer living back at home with his parents in Easthampstead Road. The war saw him enlist in the navy, we do not know why he made the decision not to return to his regiment but he served on HMS Tiger. We do not know anything of his naval career, the ship was involved in many actions during the war including the Battles of Dogger Bank and Jutland. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Tiger_%281913%29 By 1917 he was a stoker in the Navy.

According to the Reading Mercury 23rd June 1917 Ernest ‘s family lived at 31 Easthampstead road. He was awarded the Miltary Medal and notice of this award appeared in that paper. The article tells that he was in the reserve at the commencement of the war and served in both Gallipoli and France.

An article in the Reading Standard in march 1919 tells us of his death and of his service . according to the paper he was an Old Contemptible and was awarded the Mons star after the retreat from Mons in 1914. He then served in the Dardenelles where he was awarded the Military Medal, was wounded and invalided home. It was after this that he joined the Royal Navy.

All this information is slightly confusing but Ernest certainly served his country with great distinction.

Ernest came home and died on 18th March 1919, he died of pneumonia, possibly as a complication from Flu, and he is buried in All Saints Churchyard, Wokingham.