Lewis Edwin McWilliams
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Lewis Edwin McWilliams was born in 1889 at Hyson Green and was the son of Thomas, a chimney sweep, and Annie McWilliams née Darby. His father Thomas was born in 1864 at Nottingham and died in 1902 aged 38 yrs. His mother Elizabeth Darby was born in 1864 in Arnold. They were married in 1882 in Nottingham and went on to have 5 children, sadly two were to die in infancy or early childhood. Their surviving children were Lillian b1886, Lewis b1889 and Mabel b1892; all were born in Hyson Green. Following the death of his father, his mother remarried in 1904 to Charles Hudson; they were married in Nottingham. In the 1911 census the family are living at 10 Berridge Avene, Hyson Green Nottingham. Lewis is shown as being 22 years of age and a counter assistant at a chemist/ Lewis is head of the family and living with his stepfather Charles Hudson 60 yrs, a plasterer, his mother Annie Hudson 47 yrs and his sister Mabel McWilliams 19 yrs, a box maker. Lewis married Elizabeth Jane Southern on 24th June 1915 in Nottingham and they lived at 21 Hardstaff Road, Sneinton Dale, Nottingham. His widow lived at 374 Radford Road, Hyson Green, following his death.
Lewis Edwin McWilliams attested on 9th December 1915 at Nottingham. He gave hs age as 26 yrs and 10 months, address 21 Hardstaff Road, Sneinton Dale, Nottingham, occupation as that of a chemist's assistant and his next of kin as his wife Elizabeth Jane of the same address. Lewis was posted to the Reserves the following day and mobilised for war on 1st December 1916. He was posted to the Royal Army Medical Corps and arrived at the depot in Aldershot on 2nd December 1916. He was admitted to the Aldershot Isolation Hospital on 19th December 1916 and died there the following day, the cause of death a cerebral haemorrhage. Lewis is buried in Nottingham (New Basford) Cemetery.
Inscription on Southern family gravestone, Basford Cemetery, Nottingham, commemorating Lewis Edwin, the husband of Elizabeth McWilliams nee Southern: 'In loving memory of Charles, the beloved husband of Margaret Jane Southern who was accidentally killed at Annesley Colliery Aug. 26th 1909, aged 50 years. Thy purpose Lord we cannot see, but all is well that’s done by thee. Also Margaret Jane, wife of the above, who entered into eternal rest, July 23rd 1923 aged 60 years. Peace, perfect peace. Also of Lewis Edwin, the dearly loved husband of Elizabeth J McWilliams, (nee Southern) who died suddenly at Military Hospital, Aldershot, Dec. 20th 1916, aged 27 years. Buried hopes.'
