DAVID FRANCIS LEWIS

DAVID FRANCIS LEWIS

Born 21/10/1855 at Bultington. Educ. privately and at R.M.C. Sandhurst. 11/2/1875 Lt. in the Buffs. Capt. 20/2/1884; Major, Cheshire Regt., 14/1/1891; Bvt. Lt.Col. 18/11/96;

Lt.Col. 18/1/99; Bvt. Col. 26/12/98. Half-pay 18/1/99: retired, 27/9/1900.

He served in the Zulu War of 1879, including the action of Inyazana and the defence of Etshowa, where he was wounded (Despatches, L.G. 16/5/79). From 1886 he was attached to the Egyptian Army, taking part in the Sudan Expedition of 1888-9, including the actions at Gamaizah and Arguin. He commanded the Egyptian Brigade in the Expedition to Dongola, 1896; in 1897 he was in command in the action at Merowi. During the Nile Expedition of 1898 commanded an Egyptian Bde. at the battles of The Atbara and Khartoum; also at the defeat of Ahmed Fedil's army. For these services he was appointed CB, mentioned in despatches several times, and thanked by both Houses of Parliament. In the Nile Expedition of 1899 he organised the Flying Column and commanded the Infantry Bde. which resulted in the final defeat of the Khalifa. He was Governor of Sennaler 1899-1900. He was an extra ADC to the Queen 1900-1, and to King Edward 1901-5; and was selected for reward for distinguished and meritorious service, 3/8/1912.

After his retirement he was Correspondent for the Times with the French Army in Morocco in 1907, and with the Spanish Army around Melilla in 1909 (he received the Spanish Order of Merit). During the Great War he raised the 16th. Bn. of the Royal Warwickshire Regt., and was County Commandant of the Warwick Volunteer Corps from 1/9/1916, being mentioned in despatches yet again. He was a JP Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. He died at Hungerdown, Seagry, Chippenham, 2/21927.

He married, in 1910:
MARION SMITH and heir of Henry Smith, J.P., D.L., of Summerhill Court, Staffs, and his wife Marianne, d. and heir of Joseph Webb of Wordsley, Staffs; Lady of the Manor of Avening. They had no children

Please See Pictorial catalogue of AZW Graves & Memorials for his grave details

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Source: DNW