LEWIS, Louis

Louis Lewis's only connection to East Melbourne is his mother, cited as next-of-kin on his enlistment form and living at Canally, on the corner of Powlett and George Streets, East Melbourne. At the time of his enlistment, he was just off 24 years old and was working as a railway clerk. He had had previous service in the Cadets, but it is apparent from his service record that he was talented at both administration and people management. 

He began his military service working at the No. 93 Service Depot, Transport Reinforcements on 2 August, 1915, but on 18 October was moved over to Transport at the AAMC at Ascot Vale. From here, he went to the Australian Medical Corps at the No. 5 General Hospital on 3 March, 1916, and was again transferred to the AMC at Brodmeadows.

Lewis must have done well, because on 3 March, 1916, he was promoted to Corporal and then on 1st July, to Sergeant at No. 14 Australian Army Headquarters at Macleod. From here, he was moved to the No.4 Sea Transport section as Staff Sergeant on 31 August,1916, leading to his first trip accompanying troops to England. This was on the A14 'Euripides', leaving from Melbourne on 11 September and arriving at Plymouth on 26 November, 1916. On 12 November, he made the return trip to Australia, on board H.M.S. 'Wiltshire', leaving from Portland and arriving in Melbourne on 31 December. He was appointed as Sergeant Major for the trip back, but it was a temporary rank for the voyage,

Again, it is evident that Louis Lewis was a respected figure who could be trusted to fulfill his duties. He re-embarked,  on the 'Osterley' for the return trip to England, leaving from Sydney on 10 February, 1917 and disembarking at Plymouth on 11 April. On 13 April, he was sent to Southall on temporary duty while awaiting transfer to Australia, in Ground Transport to the 2nd A.A. Hospital, again with the rank of Staff Sergeant. On 4 May, he was back on the 'Wiltshire' for the journey back to Australia, this time disembarking at Sydney.

This was to be his last tour of duty. on 20 July, 1917, he was admitted to the No 5. Australian General Hospital with 'Cardiac Enlargement' and on 6 August, he was discharged from further duty and given a pension of one poound, fourteen shillings and sixpence per fortnight. He was then living at 140 George St., Fitzroy.

At some stage in the post-war period, Louis Lewis married Leah Myers. He died on 8 April, 1922 at the Macleod Military Hospital, aged thirty. Leah gave birth to their child, a girl whom she named Loulie Maxine, on 16 June 1922. She was by then living at 159 Racecourse Rd., Newmarket, Victoria.