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PTE: LEWIS, DANIEL

Parents: John, (Head), Worked at Ironworks, age 38 and Jane Lewis, age 37. Daughters: Elizabeth Jane, a Scholar, age 9 and Margaret, a Scholar, age 6. Sons: Richard, a Cold Roller, age 17, Daniel, a Coal Miner, age 15, Elias, a Scholar, age 4, David John, age 2. John, Jane, Richard, Daniel spoke Welsh and English, Elizabeth, Margaret, Elias and David only spoke Welsh. They all lived at Mile End, Swansea Higher.1


Parents: John, (Head), age 47, living on own means, and Jane Lewis, age 46. Daughters: Margaret, a Labourer, age 16 and Bronwen, age 5. Sons: Elias Lewis, Coal Mines (Door Boy), age 14, David J., age 12 and William, age 8.  All were born in Swansea, Glamorgan. They all spoke both Welsh and English and lived at Roberts Row, Mile End, Cockett, Swansea.2


Parents: John, (Head), in Assurance, age 58 and Jane Lewis, age 57, married: 37 years, 8 children born alive and 7 still living. Daughter: Bronwen, at School,  age16. Sons: Richard, a Collier (Hewer) age 24, David John, a Collier (Hewer), age22 and William Henry, a Collier (Trimmer),age 20. They have written, spoke Welsh and lived at Mile End, Carmarthen Road, Swansea.3


Army Attestation: 
Daniel Lewis, joined Rifle Company 1st Battalion in 1902, Private, Service Number 9118. Description:  age 24, 5 feet 6¼ inches, Chest, 35 inches and 38 expanded. Complexion, fresh. Eyes, Grey. Hair, brown.  Religion, Church of England. No distinctive marks. Examined: Fit for the army 11th July 1902 at Pontypridd.  Statement of Services: received service badges 1902-1904. Transferred to Army Reserves 13th April 1905. Re-engaged as Rifleman 13.06.1914. Transferred 11.07.1914.

Declaration
Statement of Relatives:
Parents:
Father, John Lewis, Mile End, Carmarthen Road, Swansea
Mother, Jane Lewis , Mile End, Carmarthen Road, Swansea

Brothers:
Richard Lewis, age 44, 11 St. Paul’s Terrace, Garden Village, Gorseinon
Elias Lewis, age 32, Mile End, Carmarthen Road, Swansea
David John Lewis, age 29, Mile End, Carmarthen Road, Swansea
William Henry Lewis, age 25, Mile End, Carmarthen Road, Swansea

Sisters:
Mrs Elizabeth Jane Gove or (Gore), age 37, Castell Moel Farm, Fforestfach, Swansea
Mrs Margaret Thomas, age 35, Mile End, Carmarthen Road, Swansea
Browen Lewis, age 22, Mile End, Carmarthen Road, Swansea
Signed by Jane Lewis (mother). Dated, 1st April 1914. Signature of Minisister: E. J. Hughes, Qualification: ? of the Gospel. Address: Armine Road, Fforestfach, Swansea.

Campaigns: B.E.F. France 1914-1915. Killed in action 6th July 1915. Service time, 12 years 361 days.  Next of Kin: Father, Mr J. Lewis, Cockett, Nr. Swansea. All personal property dispatched to, Mr John Lewis, Mile End, Carmarthen Road, Nr. Swansea.4 

Fforestfach Quota:- Pte. Daniel Lewis Rifle Brigade.5

IN SIGHT OF GERMAN CORPSES.
FFORESTFACH LETTER FROM THE TRENCHES.

Mr. and Mrs. John Lewis, Gendros, Fforestfach, have received the following letter from their son Dan, with the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade at the front: - I received your letter on the 21st so it took nine days to come out here, I am quite well so far and am writing this letter in the trenches, not 200 yards from the enemy's trenches. “We had a big fight here yesterday and we did not lose many men, but the Germans lost a goodly number.  It's quite impossible for me to give you a good description of events as they go on out here.  As for food we are getting as good as can lie expected, considering where we are. We can buy a loa4 now and again. “The French people are extremely kind to us; in fact, nothing is too much for them to give us. I've only received a five franc note since I'm out here, it is nine week now since I've been at the front. Opposite the spot where I am writing there are 12 Germans dead, not ten yards away. I consider that I have been lucky so far as all I've had up to now was A CRACK ON THE LEG, that's all. "I have travelled a couple of hundred miles lately, but as the commanding officer reads every letter before we close them, am unable to let you know exactly where we are. The roughest time we ever had on the 13th, 14th and 15th of September.  We lost a good many of our chaps on the Sunday—the unlucky 13th September.  I should like you to send me a bit of tobacco and some fag papers. I shall be able to let you know more when we have done with the German Huns”.5a

Medals: Victory, British War & Star.6

SOURCE
11891 Wales Census
2 1901 Wales Census
3 1911 Wales Census
4 British Army WW1 Service Records 1914-1920
5 Cambrian Daily Leader 13.11.1914
5a South Wales Weekly Post 21.11.1914
6 British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards 1914-1920