Private Lewis Dyer
Serving Soldiers' Biographies
Lewis was born in Eaton Bray in 1883 to Mother Sarah Dyer a Straw Plaiter also born in Eaton Bray. He was the first born of 3 children with a sister Rosa born 1887 in Edlesborough and brother Sidney born 1890 in Eaton Bray.
Not a great start to life as in 1891 the family are found residing in the Leighton Buzzard Union Workhouse with Lewis listed as a Scholar.
In 1901 Lewis is living with his Grandmother also named Sarah in Stordy Lane now Wellhead Road Totternhoe working at the Lime Works loading wagons to go to Stanbridgeford Station for transport.
At some time Lewis joined the Army and is found with the Bedfordshire Regiment serving in Jamaica, Bermuda and possibly India. He left the Army but stayed on the Reserve list and moved in with his sister Rosa in Wellington Street Luton who in 1911 had married Cyril Hughes.
Lewis worked at Mr Frenay-Pirottes Dye Works in Leagrave Road Luton for about 16 months at which time he was called up as a Reservist.
He became Private 8142 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment and was sent to France. Lewis was part of the “Old Comtemptibles” so named by the Kaiser as members of the British Expeditionary Force.
The 1st Battalion landed at La Harve on 16th August 1914 and it is thought that Lewis joined them around a week later. They were soon in action fighting at the Battle of Mons the first Battle of Marne and the first Battle of Aisne in the first 2 months of the war.
On 26th October 1914 Lewis was killed in action whilst in the forward trenches 1 mile east of Festubert.
Commemorated Le Touret Memorial Pas De Calais France Panel 10 & 11