The Sinking of the R.M.S. Leinster
 

People on board

Albert Lewis

LEWIS, Albert

Albert Lewis was born on the 13th November 1898, the third child of William Lewis and Eliza Whillock. When Albert was born the family were living at King Edwards Road in Birmingham, and the 1901 census specified their house as being ‘Back of King Edwards Road’. William’s occupation was given as ‘Cycle Maker’. By 1911 the family had moved to Blackford Street and seven children had been born, with six alive. This time William’s occupation was ‘Brass Dresser’, Eliza was a ‘Rough Warehouse Woman’, and the eldest daughter, Gladys, was a ‘Stage Actress’.

It is not known when Albert enlisted for the war, but he did so at Handsworth with the 2/1st Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry. This brigade was formed in September 1914 as a reserve for the 1/1st and converted to a Cyclist Unit in 1916. They were based in Scotland and then in Lincolnshire before moving to Ireland in May 1918. There they were based at Bandon and Buttevant in Co Cork.

Albert had presumably been returning home on leave on board RMS Leinster on the 10th October 1918, along with seven others from the brigade, only two of whom survived the sinking. Official confirmation of his death was sent to the family on the 1st March 1919. His body was not recovered, but he is remembered on the Hollybrook Memorial in Southampton and his family received the Regimental Scroll.

 

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