Tom Lewis

[ddraigcelt]

Hi guys,
         I'm trying to find a death date for my great grandfather, Thomas Lewis. Tom was born on the 24Th October 1877 in Pontypridd, Glamorgan to Henry Lewis and Jane Snow. I can find Tom in the 1911 census and that's the last I see of him. I have a newspaper cutting from 1970 talking about my great grandmother( Tom's wife) Mary Hannah Davies. A former neighbour describes how kind she has been to them and how her husband Tom died during the first world war and that's it. Thomas Lewis is such a common name in Wales, anyone have any ideas to get through this 'brick wall'.
                                Regards

[avm228]

Where was he when last seen in 1911?  Have you looked for a military record and/or Commonwealth war grave?

[ddraigcelt]

Hi, thanks for your reply. He was living in 84, Rickard Street, Pontypridd in 1911 with his wife and four children. His occupation is down as colliery labourer surface. I have found a military record of sorts for a Thomas Lewis, b 1877, Pontypridd. Its a campaign medal for merchant seamen, it says its a mercantile marine ribbon issued 2nd September, 1919. But there could have been loads of Tom Lewis's born in Pontypridd in 1877, its a common name and why a merchant seaman, he's had always worked in quarries and collieries. Regards