Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1892 in the Chorlton R.D. - ref: 8c/911,
the 2nd son of George Oscar & Katherine Lewtas (Nee Selby).

1901 Census - 128 Urmston Lane, Stretford.   Son - aged: 8 - born:
Stretford.   Head of household - George O. Lewtas - Married - aged: 40 -
occ: Lamp Manufacturer (employer) - born: Stretford.   Also Katherine
Lewtas - Wife - aged: 36 - born: Prestwich, Lancashire.   Plus 3 siblings
and 1 domestic servant.

191 Census - "Edale", Urmston Lane, Stretford.   Son - aged: 18 - occ:
Student, Manchester University - born: Stretford.   Head of household -
George Oscar Lewtas - Married - aged: 50 - occ: Lamp Manufacturer
(employer) - born: Stretford.   Also Katherine Lewtas - Wife - aged: 46 -
born: Manchester.   Plus 3 siblings, 3 other relatives and 1 domestic
servant.

Attended Saffron Waldon Grammar School, Essex and Victoria University,
Manchester where he gained his M.Sc. (Manchester).

Joined the Public Schools Battalion - Royal Fusiliers, in 1914 and later
commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Manchester Rgt.  Promoted to full
Lieutenant early in 1915.  He was wounded in November 1915 and spent some
time in the Military Hospital, Torquay, Devon.  On recovery, he to the
Manchester Rgt's base at Cleethorpes, returning to the front in June 1916
where he was attd to the 02nd Bn.

His MIC confirms that he was originally a Sergeant in the Royal Fusiliers. 
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. with the 3rd Manchester Rgt on the 5th
January 1915 and was drafted to France on the 17th May 1915.   Awarded the
15 Star, the BWM & the VM.   His father resided at "Park Lodge",
Timperley.

The 3rd Bn were not involved in the Battle of the Somme 1916, but the 2nd
Bn was - part of the 32nd Division, 14th Brigade.   In preparation for the
Battle, they moved forward from Senlis Camp into positions at Black Horse
Shelters and Crucifix Corner during the night of the 30th June 1916. They
assembled in Authuille Wood for the attack on the Leipzig Salient on the
1st July.   Despite counter attacks, their position was taken and held..  
They withdrew to Senlis on the 3rd - moved to Forceville on the 5th and
onto Bouzincourt on the 7th.   They moved forward to Ovillers Post on the
8th and attacked the western side of the village and gained some ground.  
Oscar did not live to see those fragile and hard won gains.


His elder brother - John Lewtas was wounded on the 1st July 1916 - he was
the son-in-law of Mr. J.R. Lee, the rector of St. Winifred's and was a
warden at St. Martin's P.C., Ashton on Mersey.   He was employed by Messrs.
H. & G.O. Lewtas, National Work, Old Trafford.   Perhaps Oscar was as well
?

Memorial in St. Martin's Chapel in St. Matthew's P.C. Stretford dedicated
"To the Glory of God and in memory of Captain Oscar Lewtas of the 2nd
Manchesters who fell in action in Trones Wood 9th July 1916 aged 23".

Death reported in the 14/07/1916 & 18/07/1916 editions of the Altrincham
Guardian.

Administration of his estate granted at Manchester on the 4th July 1917 to
his father George Oscar Lewtas, Lamp Manufacturer.  Estate valued at £161.
0.  1d.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1917, which states
that he was aged 21.
See also the Altrincham Database.