Lieutenant Colonel Harold Essex Lewis MBE DCM TD KStJ DL (1893 - 1992)

Harold Essex Lewis was born on 30 October 1893 in Bristol. He was educated at Bristol Cathedral School which he left in left in 1909.

He enlisted into 1st South Midland Brigade in 1913, with the regimental number 1583 as a trumpeter. He was embodied for overseas duty on 4 August 1914 and was part of of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) serving in France on 2 March 1915.

He served during the Somme battles and was decorated with the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) in June 1916. As a gunner acting as a bombardier, his citation in the London Gazette, issue 30172, published on 9 July, 1917 reads "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has performed most valuable service under heavy fire, and has set a splendid example to his men."

He was recommended for a commission and posted as an officer cadet to R.A. Officers School Exeter, Devon, and promoted to 2nd Lieutenant to Special Reserve of Officers on 23 June 1917. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 20 July 1920. After this he was posted to 19th Division of the BEF, and appointed Adjutant to Lieutenant Colonel, the Marquis of Exeter.

He was wounded on 9 November 1918, and hospitalized until April 1919. On its reformation in 1920, he served in the T.A. as Captain until retiring to the Reserve List in 1935, with the regimental number 19961. He was later recalled to duty and promoted to Major in 1938. He formed 74th Light Anti-aircraft (LAA) Battery R.A., of 24th Light Regt R.A., He was first second in command of the regiment before becoming commander.

On 3 September 1939, he was posted to 11th Mobile Brigade R.A. In 1943 he was awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD) and promoted Lieutenant Colonel attached to a unit of the Russian army. He was released from service in 1946 and returned to former employment with E. S. & A. Robinson Ltd.

The London Gazette, issue 39433 of 4 January 1952, noted that "The Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. Chancery of the Order, St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell, London, E.C.I. The 'KING has been graciously pleased to sanction the following Promotions in, and Appointments to, the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem:- As Officers (Brothers) - Lieut.Colonel Harold Essex Lewis, D.C.M., T.D." Lt. Col. Lewis became a Commander of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem on 7 January 1955 (The London Gazette, issue 40378 of 7 January 1955). The Report of the Chapter General of the Grand Priory from 1954 to 1960 list the Lt Col. as Commissionaire for the Bristol Branch which was based in Unity Street, St. Philips, Bristol. The Lt. Col's. address is given as 11, Clifton Hill, Bristol.

He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the county of Gloucestershire, City of Gloucester and the City and County of Bristol in February 1960, which transferred to the County of Avon on reorganization of the counties on 1 April 1974. By then he had become a founder member of the Bristol Royal Artillery Club or Old Stiffs Mess in 1969.

in 1974 he was made awarded membership of the most Excellent Order of the British Empire and made President of the Bristol Branch Royal Artillery Association.

In 1986, he recorded a two hour interview for the Imperial War Museums. The Imperial War Museums also hold his remaining papers.

He died in March 1992 at Bristol.

Sources and Resources

We would be very grateful for any further information on members of the 1st South Midland Bde RFA/ 240th Bde RFA (TF) from 1908-1919.

Derek Driscoll's original pages

London Gazette entries 1916
London Gazette entries 1916
London Gazette entries 1920
London Gazette entries 1920
Obituaries
Obituaries

Other References

Lewis, Harold Essex (Oral history) - Imperial War Museums
London Gazette Issue 30171 published on the 7 July 1917
London Gazette Issue 30172 published on the 9 July 1917
London Gazette Issue 331985 published on the 19 July 1920
London Gazette Issue 39433 published on the 4 January 1952
London Gazette Issue 40378 published on the 7 January 1955
Private Papers of Lieutenant Colonel H E Lewis MBE DCM TD KStJ DL - Imperial War Museums
Special Reserve - Wikipedia
The Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem - Annual Reports - Museum of the Order of St John (ISSUU)
The Special Reserve - The Long, Long Trail