last letter home

[missmuddle]

Hi All,

I wonder if anyone can help me. A letter has come to light from a cousin who was clearing out some old papers. I have tried some searches but cannot find any war records for him.
The letter is typed from Mediterranean Expeditionary force Sunday 22/15 from David James Lewis 4th Welsh Regiment. He was killed in action August 23rd 1915 at the Dardanelles.
In the letter he tells us that he at base & has been since Friday with diarrhea, he is feeling a bit better 'only a bit weak' & he expect to go back to his pals in a day or so. he then says again that 'he is a bit weak though.' He then goes on to say about conditions lack of cigarettes & poor food.

What I am trying to find out is did he make it back to the trenches or did he die at base either by shelling ( he says the Turks are shelling the base) or from his diarrhea. I wondered if he did type the letter himself or if someone done it for him, if he was too weak, considering he died the following day, did he know it would be his last letter home.


missmuddle

[dragongirl]

Hi Miss Muddle
Re letter from David James Lewis do you have a place of birth ?there are a number of military records for David James Lewis  in The Welsh Regiments in 1915 any idea of Rank Number etc
It`s no good wading through hundreds of records as some have
no place of death

dragongirl

[missmuddle]

Hi
Yes, David was born abt.1894 Hirwain, Pembrokeshire
mother Minnie Davies- Pembroke Dock 1869
Father Thomas Lewis -Narbeth 1870

All I have is the letter, & memorial card
Private David James Lewis 4th Welsh regiment aged 22years KIA August 23rd 1915 at the Dardanelles

The letter says he is in Gallipoli but he doesn't know where that is.

Missm

[mmm45]

He was Pte 5139 1/4TH Welsh Regiment.....Soldiers Died Database says Killed In Action.
He was a Territorial Soldier.

Ady

[mmm45]

Born Aberdare,Resident Henllan??

Ady

[missmuddle]

Thank you,
Every scrap of info gratefully received
 

[dragongirl]

hi Miss Muddle
I agree he`s probably PRIVATE D.J. LEWIS born Hirwaun,
residence Henllan Cardiganshire, Welsh Regiment 1/4th  Battalion. NO 5139 died 23 August 1915  Killed in Action Gallipoli. Can` find his enlistment date but still at home in 1911.
I`ve got the details and you can actually purchase a memorial
scroll if your sure its him. Parents fit with your information to me.I`m still looking for enlistment form which will definately clinch if you`d like me to send you details sheets etc please email at *
dragongirl
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[mmm45]

Entered Theatre of War 7/8/15 Killed In Action 23/8/15

The unit war diary at Kew May give details of what was happening...It probably wont name him unless you are very lucky.
Someone hopefully will point you in right direction to get a copy..it may be downloadable

Ady

[seaweed]

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=607263