Alfred Henry John Lewis (1916 - 1942)

Born 24 Mar 1916 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Died 1 Jul 1942 at age 26 in At Sea

Biography

Alfred Lewis was a Prisoner of War during World War II.

Alfred Lewis died as a prisoner of war on the Montevideo Maru during the Second World War.

Alfred Henry John Lewis was born in 1916 in Hobart, TAS, the eldest son of Alfred James and Annie Louisa Lewis.

He enlisted in the Australian Army Militia part time on 30 Jun 1932 at Hobart, TAS as a Sapper (49285) in the Australian Engineers serving with 36th Fortress Coy in Hobart. At the time he was single, an apprentice and was living with his father in Battery Point, TAS. He was 5 ft 10 in tall with fair complexion, grey eyes and fair hair.

He served part time until 02 Jan 1934 when he left the district.

He enlisted in the Australian Army Militia Permanent Forces in Hobart, TAS on 06 Jun 1939 for 5 years as a Gunner (4790, later TP4790) serving with 7th Heavy Battery, Hobart. At the time he was still single and living with his father in Hobart, TAS. He variously described himself as a labourer and as a storeman car driver.

On 13 Jun 1940 he was appointed as a Gun Laying Specialist. He was appointed U/ Lance Bombardier on 11 Dec 1940 but reverted to Gunner on 23 Dec 1940.

On 22 Feb 1941 he transferred to the Tropical Coastal Defence Unit and was appointed as Specialist Trade Group I the same day.

He probably embarked on the "Zealandia" in Sydney on 18 Apr 1941 for Rabaul, New Britain in the Territory of New Guinea, disembarking there on 26 Apr 1941 as part of "Lark Force" Royal Australian Artillery, Rabaul Heavy Battery, protecting the harbour.

He was admitted to the military hospital in Rabaul with malaria on 09 Jan 1942.

The battery was destroyed by Japanese bombing ahead of the invasion on 23 Jan 1942.

He was captured after the invasion at Kokopo hospital and became a Prisoner of War, initially held at Rabaul.

He died on board the "Montevideo Maru" when it was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of the Philippines on 01 Jul 1942, en route from Rabaul to Hainan where he was destined for forced labour.

He was posthumously enrolled in the 2nd AIF as TX4363.

Sources

• WW2 Australian Army Service File - National Archives of Australia - LEWIS ALFRED HENRY JOHN : Service Number - TX4363 : Date of birth - 24 Mar 1916 : Place of birth - HOBART TAS : Place of enlistment - HOBART TAS : Next of Kin - LEWIS ALFRED - http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=6382913

• Deaths - Members of the Forces - Family Notices (1945, October 11). The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved May 21, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26146391

• Roll of Honour - Australian War Memorial - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1683986

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission - https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2615914/lewis,-alfred-henry-john/

• Virtual War Memorial Australia: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/636277

• The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial: https://www.powmemorialballarat.com.au/prisoners-of-war/lewis-alfred-henry-john/