Robert Lewis, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Private, 23346, 16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died, killed in action, aged 30, on 11 July 1916 on the Western Front.

The Battalion was formed at Llandudno in November 1914 by the Welsh National Executive Committee from recruits surplus to 13th Battalion. In November 1914 it was attached to 128th Brigade, 43rd Division at Llandudno. On 28 April 1915 the formation became the 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. It moved to Winchester in August 1915 and landed in France in December 1915.

He arrived in France with the Division on 3 December 1915  and in July 1916 was located on the Somme. On 6 July the Division took over the line below Mametz Wood. They were ordered to take and clear Mametz Wood. The first attack took place involving the Division's 115th Brigade on 6 and 7 July. The attack failed and they suffered heavy losses. The 38th Division were ordered to press on to capture the wood and the 113rd Brigade commenced their attack on the southern edge of the wood on 10 July, with the 16th Battalion leading.
They came under severe machine-gun fire and there was some confusion and some retreat. However, after being reorganised following the loss of their Colonel, they eventually penetrated and gained a foothold in the tangled undergrowth and shattered woodland. The fighting was difficult, including much hand-to-hand, and very confused. The troops had little experience of this type of terrain and for most this was their first exposure to a major action. After some respite the 16th RWF went back into the wood the next day, supported by the 17th Battalion RWF, and succeeded in clearing most of it. This was despite losses caused by a badly directed British barrage, and heavy enemy mortar fire. The 38th Division was withdrawn later that night and replaced by the 21st Division who completed the  capture of the wood, from which the enemy had mostly withdrawn. The 38th Welsh Division lost 4,000 killed, wounded or missing in this battle, with the RWF losses amounting to over 1,000, including four out of five commanding officers. The Division received little credit at the time and the action was never formally recognised as a Battle Honour.
He was the husband of Kate Lewis (nee Owen) of 54 Cambrian Street, Holyhead. They married in 1912 and had two children. At the time of his death the family was living at 57 Newry Street, Holyhead. He had previously qualified at a teacher having gained a B.A. Degree and was teaching at the National School, Holyhead. Two of his sisters were also employed as teachers in local schools.

Awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Buried in Dantzig Alley British War Cemetery, France. Grave location VI.S.8. Commemorated on a memorial plaque at Hyfrydle Chapel, Thomas Street, Holyhead.