Lewis, William Thomas

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Date of birth:: June 1st, 1917 (Montreal/Québec, Canada)
Date of death:: May 5th, 1943
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Graves General Cemetery Workum
Plot: D. Row: 1. Grave: 2.
Service number:: J/16982/R.56328
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

William Lewis' Lancaster W4888 was shot down by a night-fighter (Oblt Lothar Linke, 1V./NJG1) and crashed 0140 5 May 1943 at Workum (Friesland), 15 km SW of Sneek, Holland.

Crew were F/O N.J.Stanford (killed), Sergeant A.H.Clark (killed); P/O R.D.Paterson (POW); Sergeant A.J.L.Lyon (killed); P/O W.T.Lewis, DFM, RCAF (killed); Sergeant G.W.F.Reynolds, RCAF (killed); Sergeant J.M. Hadfield (killed).

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Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flight Sergeant
Unit:: No. 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: February 9th, 1943

Recommendation dated 22 November 1942 when he had flown 30 sorties (155 hours) as follows: 25 June 1942 - Bremen (5.45) 26 June 1942 - GARDENING (5.30) 29 June 1942 - Bremen (5.00) 2 July 42 - Bremen (5.30) 7 July 42 - GARDENING (5.15) 8 July 42 - Wilhelmshaven (5.00) 11 July 42 - GARDENING (5.15) 21 July 42 - Duisburg (4.10) 26 July 42 - Hamburg (6.30) 28 July 42 - Hamburg (5.45) 31 July 42 - Dusseldorf (3.30) 13 August 1942 - GARDENING (5.15) 17 August 1942 - Osnabruck (6.05) 23 August 1942 - Emden (4.00) 24 August 1942 - Frankfurt (2.10, DNCO) 1 Sept 1942 - Saarbrucken (5.45) 2 Sept 1942 - Karlsruhe (5.30) 4 Sept 1942 - Bremen (6.00) 6 Sept 1942 - Duisburg (3.45) 9 Sept 1942 - GARDENING (5.35) 10 Sept 1942 - Dusseldorf (4.15) 13 Sept 1942 - Bremen (5.30) 14 Sept 1942 - Wilhelmshaven (5.30) 16 Sept 1942 - Essen (5.00) 26 Sept 1942 - GARDENING (5.10) 2 October 1942 - Krefeld (4.45) 5 October 1942 - Aachen (6.20) 6 October 1942 - Osnabruck (5.30) 14 October 1942 - GARDENING (6.00) 15 October 1942 - Cologne (5.45)

"This Canadian Non-Commissioned Officer who has carried out his tour of operations on Wellington aircraft with this squadron has always shown great confidence and ability, and his efficiency as a Wireless Operator has proved a great asset to the crew. A very steady and reliable type with an eagerness for operational flying, who on all occasions has displayed coolness and courage under difficult conditions. Sergeant Lewis was a member of a crew who carried out an exceptionally fine performance in a daylight raid on Emden on the 23rd August, 1942 and his keenness and devotion to duty has at all times been a fine example to the squadron."

Award presented to next of kin, 12 December 1944.