Lewis Albert Heeds

Lewis Albert (Albert) was the son of William and Emily Heeds (née Bell). His father was born in Retford in 1862 and his mother also in Retford in 1862. William and Emily were married at Ordsall All Hallows in August 1883 and had four children, two of whom were born in Canada: Eva Elizabeth b. Retford June 1884, Gertrude Mary b. London Ontario December 1886, Charles Edward b. London Ontario August 1888 and Lewis Albert b. Ridgeway Mosborough 1893 (reg. Louis Albert, J/A/S Chesterfield Derbyshire). No records have yet been traced of William and Emily's time in Canada but the dates and places of birth of their children indicate that they left the UK after the birth of their first child in June 1884 and were in Canada by December 1886 when their second child was born. The third child was born in Canada in August 1888 but the family was back in the UK by 1891 when William, a coal miner, his wife and their three children were recorded on the census living on High Lane, Eckington, Chesterfield. Lewis was born two years later. By 1911, William and Emily had moved to 155 High Street, Mosborough, but only their two sons, Charles and Lewis, both coal miners, were still living at home. Also recorded in the household was William and Emily's three year old grandson, Frederick Hutchinson (see below). Both daughters were married by 1911. The eldest, Eva, had married Albert Edward Hutchinson at Mosborough St Mark in 1907 and in 1911 Eva, her husband Albert, a pork butcher, were living on Main Street, Huthwaite with their three sons, Frederick William, Charles Edward and Arthur Edward. (Note: Frederick was also recorded in his maternal grandparents' home on the night of the census). Gertrude had married Percy Beaumont in 1910 and they were living on Recreation Street, Mansfield, with their son William. Lewis was living in Sheffield when he enlisted. However, his brother Charles Edward was still living with his parents at 155 High Street, Mosborough, when he enlisted in 1914. William and Emily and their grandson William Frederick were living in Worksop at the time of the 1921 census and the CWGC record gave their address as 187 Kilton Road, Worksop. By 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, they were living at 25 Kilton Hill, Worksop; William was a colliery stone contractor. William died in 1942 and Emily in 1953 (deaths registered Worksop). Both sons predeceased them, Lewis in 1915 and Charles in 1924. Charles Edward Heeds enlisted in 1914 and was posted to the 3rd Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He was living at 155 High Street. Mosborough, occupation coal miner. Service record: Home 4 September 1914-26 August 1915. France 27 August 1914-24 September 1915. Home 25 September 1915-1 February 1916. BEF France 2 February 1916-5 May 1917. Home 6 May 1917-14 December 1918 (Total 4y 102d). He was wounded in action on 15 September 1915 and 22 September 1916 then suffered a shell wound to his face/hand on 27 April 1917. He was transferred to the Army Reserve Class 'P' on 6 November 1918 but discharged on 14 December 1918 'being surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since entry into the service (Para 392, XVI KR).' Discharge address 26 Allan Street, Worksop. Charles was awarded a pension of 19/3d per week with effect from 7 November 1918 and issued with Silver War Badge 490396 in September 1920 (address 187 Kilton Road). Charles married Edith Cooper at Mosborough St Mark in March 1919; both were living on Rotherham Road. Charles died on 3 March 1924 at 221 Kilton Road, Worksop, (1) influenza (2) meningitis syncope. His wife Edith survived him. Eva's husband, Albert Edward Hutchinson, also served in the war. He was a former regular soldier, having enlisted in the Manchester Regiment (5475 Private) in 1898 on a 12 years Short Service Engagement (7 years with the Colours, 5 years Army Reserve) although he extended his service to complete 8 years with the Colours before transferring to the Army Reserve. He served with the 2nd Battalion and the 1st Battalion and was promoted corporal in 1899. Albert was mobilised on 5 August 1914. Service record: Home 3 October 1898-15 March 1900. South Africa 16 March 1900-27 October 1902. Home 28 October 1902-8 November 1914. France 9 November 1914-14 September 1917. Home 15 September 1917-31 January 1918 (Total 19y 120d). He suffered a wound to his left arm in December 1914. On 31 January 1918 Albert was discharged from the army, 'no longer physically fit for war service'. At the time of the 1939 England & Wales Register when he and Eva were living in West Thorpe, Thorpe Salvin, he was described as a disabled war pensioner.