John William Lewis came from Swinton, Lancashire, now a part of Greater Manchester, and saw service during the Great War as a Private later Sergeant (No.15125) with the 19th Service Battalion – 3rd Salford Pals – the Pioneers, Lancashire Fusiliers, and was present out on the Western Front with his battalion as part of the 96th Brigade in the 32nd Division from 23rd November 1915, and then as part of the 14th Brigade in the same division from January 1916. His battalion formed GHQ troops and converted to a pioneer battalion in late July 1916, but then saw service with the 14th Brigade in the 49th West Riding Division from early August 1916.
John was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field in the London Gazette for 28th January 1918, this being an award for his services during the Third Battle of Ypres between 8th and 11th November 1917. A copy of the recommendation exists which reads: ‘Military Medal for 8th to 11th October 1917, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed the greatest coolness and energy under heavy shellfire and by his skilful handling of … Read the rest