Military History

Lewis enlisted as Private 3rd Reinforcements 11th Battalion.
Embarked at Fremantle per HMAT ‘Ascanius’ A11 for Egypt 31.10.1914
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 11th Infantry Bn. ‘C’ Company AIF.
Lewis disembarked with his Battalion in Egypt. After a short period of intensive training, he embarked at Alexandria with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) for Gallipoli 2.3.1915. He was taken on strength with his Unit at Gallipoli, to provide the covering force for the landing (AWM 11th Bn. ) Lewis developed influenza whilst on the Peninsula and was transferred to a Hospital Ship (HS) 15.5.1915. He rejoined unit. The 11th Battalion mounted the Australian Imperial Force’s first raid against Turkish positions at Gaba Tepe on 23.5.1915 (AWM 11th Battalion). Lewis was wounded in action, receiving a gunshot wound to his stomach and chest 22.5.1915. He was transferred to 19th General Hospital in Alexandria 22.5.1915. As his condition improved, he was transferred to the Convalescent Depot at Mustapha 25.5.1915. He was admitted to the General Hospital at Alexandria for an unspecified reason 10.6.1915 and discharged to Duty 3.7.1915. Lewis was admitted to hospital at Heliopolis with chronic gastritis 29.7.1915. He convalesced at Helouan, however, was not felt to be fit enough for active service and was listed for return to Australia as an invalid 13.8.1915.
Embarked Suez per HMAT ‘Themistocles’ for return to Australia 15.8.1915
Returned/Disembarked  Fremantle 2.9.1915
Discharged 3.1.1916.
Final Rank Private 11th Infantry Battalion 3rd Brigade Australian Imperial Force (AIF)
Medical Condition Invalided.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph source AWM H16157
             Australian Troops being towed ashore at Gallipoli. Photographer R.M. Bowman, photograph source AWM P2194.005
             Troops in trenches at Gaba Tepe June 1917. Photographer H.C. Nott, photograph source AWM P02321.012
             HMAT 'Themistocles' at Fremantle. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM 304038

Information Source
AWM H16157. HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P2194.005. Australian Troops being towed ashore at Gallipoli. Photographer R.M. Bowman, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P02321.012. Troops in trenches at Gaba Tepe June 1917. Photographer H.C. Nott, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM 304038. HMAT 'Themistocles' at Fremantle. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Colection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Alfred Harry Lewis
AWM 11th Battalion
NAA: B2455, Lewis Alfred Harry
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

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Associated Images