Ernest Alfred (Jack) Lewis
From Our Contribution
 | |
 Ancestry.com | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 28 Mar 1898 |
| Place of Birth | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Death | 26 Dec 1985, aged 88 |
| Place of Death | Busselton |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 1 month |
| Description |
5'4" (1.) tall ; 126 lbs 57.153 kg ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair |
| Occupation | Saw filer |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | Newtown, Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Joseph Henry Lewis |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5040 |
| Date of Enlistment | 20 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement / 7th Brigade, 2nd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Jul 1916 ‒ 9 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A48 Seang Bee |
| Date of Return | 16 Jun 1919 ‒ 24 Jul 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | RMS Ormonde |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
In 1904 he was attending the Jarrahdale Primary school, his father being the Mill foreman.
War Service
Two weeks after entering Blackboy Hill camp, Ernest was assigned to the 13th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. They departed Fremantle aboard the HMAT A48 Seang Bee on 19 Jul 1916, disembarking at Plymouth on 9 Sep 1916. On arrival they were sent to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone.
Training completed, Jack proceeded overseas to France from Folkestone in England aboard SS Princess Henriette on 3 Nov 1916, and was taken on strength of the 28th Battalion on 18 Nov 1916 at Fricourt Camp as they were being relieved from the line amidst light snow and rain.
On 10 Apr 1917 he rejoined the battalion after attending a 2nd Division school (for batmen). Four days later he was charged with Neglecting to obey an order in that he failed to wear his box respirator. He was awarded 48 hours Field Punishment No. 2.
On 28 May 1917 Ernest reported sick to the 7th Field Ambulance which released him on 2 June before being readmitted on the 4th, this time to the 5th Field Ambulance. Treated for Trench Fever, he was sent on to No. 8 General Hospital in Rouen on 17 Jun 1917 before embarking on HMHS Aberdonian on 21 Jun 1917 for England where two days later he was admitted to the Military Hospital in Grove road, Richmond with Synovitis of the right knee. Jack was released to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford on 7 Aug 1917, and on arrival he was granted furlough from 8 - 22 Aug 1917. His next stop was No 2 Command Depot in Weymouth on 22 Aug 1917, before returning to harder duties at No 4 Command Depot at Codford on 4 Sep 1917.
On 21 Nov 1917 while in Hurdcott waiting to return to his unit he was charged with being AWOL from 6:00am 17 Nov 1917 until 4:00pm on 20 Nov 1917. For this he was awarded 12 days Field Punishment NO. 2, and he forfeited 16 day's pay. On 27 Dec 1917 he was free to return to France through Southampton, and he rejoined the 28th Battalion on 4 Jan 1918 along with 50 others.
On 18 Apr 1918 he was again in trouble, being charged this time with Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he, contrary to orders went out to shoot game on 12 Apr 1918. For this he was awarded 21 days Field Punishment No 2.
On 1 Oct 1918 he was detached to the 7th Light Trench Mortar Battery. Ernest was granted English leave again from 6 Dec 1918 until 1 Jan 1919. Following his return to the battalion, between 15 Jan and 9 Mar 1919 he was elevated to Temporary Driver, relinquishing the rank on 10 Mar 1919 with the demobilisation of the Transport Section. Returned to England, he boarded the RMS Ormonde for return to Australia where he was discharged by the 5th Military District on 7 Sep 1919. Jack was the only one of four brothers to survive the war.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1922 - 1925 timber worker in Jarrahdale; 1936 - 1937 Mornington Mills a labourer; 1943 - 1972 at Jarrahwood, timber worker; 1977 - 1980 at 220 Marine terrace, Busselton.
Jack married Jeannette May in 1935 and they had 7 children. Jeanette died 26 Jan 1990, aged 72. During WW2 Jack served from 2 May 1942 with the 5th (Busselton) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps.
Notes