215570 L/Cpl. John Lewis Dickens British Army 10th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment from:Aberdare, Glamorgan (d.17th Jul 1916) John Lewis Dickens was born on 20 July 1881 in Aberdare, Glamorgan. He was the 4th of seven children born to Thomas and Sarah Dickens (nee Fereday). His older brother, Charles, is my great grandfather.
He is recorded as Lewis Dickens on the 1891 & 1901 censuses but on the 1911 census he is shown as John Lewis Dickens and his occupation is given as underground haulier employed by Messrs Nixons & Co.
His army records show that he enlisted as 20904 Lewis Dickens in 11th Hussars on 31 August 1914 in Aberdare, Glamorgan. He was 5ft 5ins tall with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. On 6 September 1914 he was posted to the 12th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry for training.
He was transferred to 3rd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment on 21st May 1915 and then posted to 10th Battalion on 12th October 1916 when he embarked for France. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 14 June 1916. All his army records show him as Lewis Dickens. His Medal Rolls Index Card states he served in Egypt - this must be a mistake as the 10th Battalion didn't serve in Egypt.
Whilst in France he suffered gunshot wounds to his right wrist and thigh. He was evacuated to Ontario Military Hospital, Orpington, Kent on 5 July 1916. He died at 8.15pm on 17 July 1916. He is buried in the churchyard of All Saints Church, Orpington - his headstone reads 20904 Lance Cpl John Lewis Dickens. He never married - his next of kin on his army records is given as his mother.
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