Gwilym Hugh Lewis
Encyclopedia
Captain Gwilym Hugh Lewis (5 August 1897—18 December 1996) was a British flying ace
during World War I. He was credited with 12 confirmed aerial victories. He went on to a very successful career as an insurance broker
. Lewis was the next to last surviving British ace from the war, as well as the longest lived, dying eight months before his hundredth birthday. His wide range of friends included Prime Minister
Winston Churchill
, playwright Noel Coward
, and fellow aces Stan Dallas, Mick Mannock, and George McElroy
.
. He volunteered for the Northamptonshire Regiment
for service early in World War I. On 10 September 1915, having trained at the Officers' Training Corps at the University of London
, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant
; however, he was not entitled to pay and allowances until the following 3 January. His first try at transferring to the Royal Flying Corps
was refused because they had no openings. Lewis then procured 100 pounds from his father for tuition, and put himself through private pilot's training at Hendon
on a Grahame-White Boxkite
. Lewis was awarded Pilot's Certificate number 2116 on 27 November 1915. The RFC then accepted him and sent him to the Central Flying School
at Upavon
. On 30 November 1915, he was temporarily transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers.
.
On 1 July 1917, Lewis was promoted to lieutenant
in the London Regiment
.
Lewis was promoted from Flying Officer to Flight Commander, with the temporary rank of captain on 27 August 1917.
On 13 September 1918, Gwilym Lewis surrendered his commission because of ill health caused by wounds suffered in action. He was transferred to the unemployed list on 21 January 1919.
over the English Channel
; he had four and a half hours solo flight experience. On 15 July 1916, he would help destroy a Fokker Eindekker for his first aerial victory. Two months later, on 22 September 1916, he destroyed a Roland C.II over Bancourt
for his first singlehanded victory.
Lewis would not score again until late 1917, when he was assigned to 40 Squadron to train as a Flight Commander on Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5s. He began his training duties in September 1917. On 19
December 1917, he drove an Albatros D.III
down out of control. He would drive another down a month later, on 19 January 1918. He would score nine more times in the next six months, including one triumph shared with his squadron leader, Major Stan Dallas. Lewis ran his personal tally to five German planes destroyed, six driven down out of control, as well as capturing an LVG
reconnaissance plane on 7 July 1918 for his final win. He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross during July.
Stan Dallas was not the only famous ace Lewis befriended; Mick Mannock invoked the rule of opposites to nickname the quiet Lewis as "Noisy". On Lewis's final day in France, at his farewell luncheon, Mannock pulled aside top Irish ace George McElroy
to caution him about following victims down to within the range of German ground fire. Six days later, Mannock was killed in action
by ground fire when he followed a falling German plane too close to earth; McElroy followed him five days later. Lewis had earlier lost his elder brother in aerial combat. Lewis returned to instructor duty in England to finish out the war.
with some of his service friends; they were Noel Coward
's audience for his reading of his first play, The Rat Trap
. Lewis began his career in insurance with Sedgwick and Collins
, brokers with Lloyd's of London
. During 1919 and 1920, despite his resignation from flying, Lewis began writing about aviation safety while he began his career as an insurance broker. He also wrote Wings Over the Somme 1916–1918, his memoir of his war experiences.
Despite his 1918 resignation of his commission because of wounds, Lewis must have returned to military service, as he was a lieutenant in the 4th Battalion of the Northumberland Regiment as of 1921. He traveled to the United States in 1923, surveying business conditions there. Upon his return, he recommended that Lloyd's form an American Non-Marine Department; the recommendation caused some hard feelings towards his from coworkers. Lewis was listed in public records as a business liquidator
as early as 1925. This was also the year he married Christian Robertson, on 9 July; the union would last 68 years and produce two daughters and two sons. Lewis avoided becoming impoverished by the Great Depression
of 1929. He also built the American Non-Marine Department into the largest department in Sedgwick and Collins by 1939.
. He served in World War II as a member of the Cabinet War Rooms reporting to and briefing Winston Churchill
until his health once again forced his resignation on 21 September 1944, this time from the rank of Wing Commander
. In the meantime, he had attempted to remain current with business affairs at Sedgwick, Collins.
When Gwilym Hugh Lewis died on 18 December 1996, aged 99. He was Lloyd's of London's oldest member, as well as the oldest of the two World War I British aces remaining. The other ace, his near namesake Cecil Lewis
, was a year younger and died a month later.
Lieut. (T./Capt.) Gwilym Hugh Lewis (Northamptonshire Regiment).
It is largely due to this officer's ability
and judgment as a flight leader that many
enemy machines have been destroyed with
very few casualties in his formation. He is
bold in attack, and has personally accounted
for eight enemy aircraft, displaying marked
disregard of personal danger.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
during World War I. He was credited with 12 confirmed aerial victories. He went on to a very successful career as an insurance broker
Insurance broker
An insurance broker finds sources for contracts of insurance on behalf of their customers. The three largest insurance brokers in the world, by revenue, are Aon, Marsh & McLennan, and Willis Group Holdings.-Purpose of insurance brokers:...
. Lewis was the next to last surviving British ace from the war, as well as the longest lived, dying eight months before his hundredth birthday. His wide range of friends included Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
, playwright Noel Coward
Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".Born in Teddington, a suburb of London, Coward attended a dance academy...
, and fellow aces Stan Dallas, Mick Mannock, and George McElroy
George McElroy
Captain George Edward Henry McElroy MC and Two Bars, DFC and Bar was a leading ace fighter pilot of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during World War I. He was credited with 47 aerial victories....
.
Early life and service
Born in Moseley, Birmingham in 1897 to Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Lewis, he was educated at Marlborough CollegeMarlborough College
Marlborough College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils, located in Marlborough, Wiltshire.Founded in 1843 for the education of the sons of Church of England clergy, the school now accepts both boys and girls of all beliefs. Currently there are just over 800...
. He volunteered for the Northamptonshire Regiment
Northamptonshire Regiment
The Northamptonshire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1960. Its lineage is now continued by The Royal Anglian Regiment.-Formation:The regiment was formed as part of the reorganisation of the infantry by the Childers reforms...
for service early in World War I. On 10 September 1915, having trained at the Officers' Training Corps at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
; however, he was not entitled to pay and allowances until the following 3 January. His first try at transferring to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
was refused because they had no openings. Lewis then procured 100 pounds from his father for tuition, and put himself through private pilot's training at Hendon
Hendon
Hendon is a London suburb situated northwest of Charing Cross.-History:Hendon was historically a civil parish in the county of Middlesex. The manor is described in Domesday , but the name, 'Hendun' meaning 'at the highest hill', is earlier...
on a Grahame-White Boxkite
Grahame-White Type XV
-External links:*...
. Lewis was awarded Pilot's Certificate number 2116 on 27 November 1915. The RFC then accepted him and sent him to the Central Flying School
Central Flying School
The Central Flying School is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 it is the longest existing flying training school.-History:...
at Upavon
Upavon
Upavon is a rural village in the English County of Wiltshire, England. As its name suggests, it is on the upper portions of the River Avon which runs from the north to the south through the village. It is situated about south of Pewsey, about southeast of the market town of Devizes, and about ...
. On 30 November 1915, he was temporarily transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers.
Professional promotions and awards
On 24 March 1916, Lewis was seconded to the First Garrison Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment. On 23 April 1916, he was appointed a Flying OfficerFlying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
.
On 1 July 1917, Lewis was promoted to lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the London Regiment
London Regiment
The London Regiment is a Territorial Army regiment in the British Army. It was first formed in 1908 in order to regiment the various Volunteer Force battalions in the newly formed County of London, each battalion having a distinctive uniform. The Volunteer Force was merged with the Yeomanry in 1908...
.
Lewis was promoted from Flying Officer to Flight Commander, with the temporary rank of captain on 27 August 1917.
On 13 September 1918, Gwilym Lewis surrendered his commission because of ill health caused by wounds suffered in action. He was transferred to the unemployed list on 21 January 1919.
Success in the air
When 32 Squadron moved to France on 29 May 1916, Lewis flew a tired Airco DH.2Airco DH.2
|-DH.2 aces:Distinguished pilots of the DH.2 included Victoria Cross winner Lanoe Hawker , who was the first commander of No 24 Squadron and ace Alan Wilkinson. The commander of No. 32 Squadron, Lionel Rees won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single handedly attacking a formation of 10...
over the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
; he had four and a half hours solo flight experience. On 15 July 1916, he would help destroy a Fokker Eindekker for his first aerial victory. Two months later, on 22 September 1916, he destroyed a Roland C.II over Bancourt
Bancourt
Bancourt is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A small farming village located 10 miles south of Arras at the junction of the D7 and D7E1 roads.-Population:-Places of interest:...
for his first singlehanded victory.
Lewis would not score again until late 1917, when he was assigned to 40 Squadron to train as a Flight Commander on Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5s. He began his training duties in September 1917. On 19
December 1917, he drove an Albatros D.III
Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
down out of control. He would drive another down a month later, on 19 January 1918. He would score nine more times in the next six months, including one triumph shared with his squadron leader, Major Stan Dallas. Lewis ran his personal tally to five German planes destroyed, six driven down out of control, as well as capturing an LVG
LVG
Luftverkehrsgesellschaft m.b.H. was a German aircraft manufacturer based in Berlin-Johannisthal, which began constructing aircraft in 1912, building Farman-type aircraft. The company constructed many reconnaissance and light bomber biplanes during World War I.The raid on London in 1916 was...
reconnaissance plane on 7 July 1918 for his final win. He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross during July.
Stan Dallas was not the only famous ace Lewis befriended; Mick Mannock invoked the rule of opposites to nickname the quiet Lewis as "Noisy". On Lewis's final day in France, at his farewell luncheon, Mannock pulled aside top Irish ace George McElroy
George McElroy
Captain George Edward Henry McElroy MC and Two Bars, DFC and Bar was a leading ace fighter pilot of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during World War I. He was credited with 47 aerial victories....
to caution him about following victims down to within the range of German ground fire. Six days later, Mannock was killed in action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
by ground fire when he followed a falling German plane too close to earth; McElroy followed him five days later. Lewis had earlier lost his elder brother in aerial combat. Lewis returned to instructor duty in England to finish out the war.
Post World War I
Gwilym Hugh Lewis came home from the war to share a cottage in WargraveWargrave
Wargrave is a large village and civil parish in the English county of Berkshire, which encloses the confluence of the River Loddon and the River Thames. It is in the Borough of Wokingham...
with some of his service friends; they were Noel Coward
Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".Born in Teddington, a suburb of London, Coward attended a dance academy...
's audience for his reading of his first play, The Rat Trap
The Rat Trap
The Rat Trap is a four act drama by Noel Coward, his 'first really serious attempt at psychological conflict,' written when he was only 18....
. Lewis began his career in insurance with Sedgwick and Collins
Sedgwick Group
Sedgwick Group plc was a very large British insurance broker. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index...
, brokers with Lloyd's of London
Lloyd's of London
Lloyd's, also known as Lloyd's of London, is a British insurance and reinsurance market. It serves as a partially mutualised marketplace where multiple financial backers, underwriters, or members, whether individuals or corporations, come together to pool and spread risk...
. During 1919 and 1920, despite his resignation from flying, Lewis began writing about aviation safety while he began his career as an insurance broker. He also wrote Wings Over the Somme 1916–1918, his memoir of his war experiences.
Despite his 1918 resignation of his commission because of wounds, Lewis must have returned to military service, as he was a lieutenant in the 4th Battalion of the Northumberland Regiment as of 1921. He traveled to the United States in 1923, surveying business conditions there. Upon his return, he recommended that Lloyd's form an American Non-Marine Department; the recommendation caused some hard feelings towards his from coworkers. Lewis was listed in public records as a business liquidator
Liquidator (law)
In law, a liquidator is the officer appointed when a company goes into winding-up or liquidation who has responsibility for collecting in all of the assets of the company and settling all claims against the company before putting the company into dissolution....
as early as 1925. This was also the year he married Christian Robertson, on 9 July; the union would last 68 years and produce two daughters and two sons. Lewis avoided becoming impoverished by the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
of 1929. He also built the American Non-Marine Department into the largest department in Sedgwick and Collins by 1939.
World War II service
On 14 August 1939, Lewis was promoted to Flying OfficerFlying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
. He served in World War II as a member of the Cabinet War Rooms reporting to and briefing Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
until his health once again forced his resignation on 21 September 1944, this time from the rank of Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
. In the meantime, he had attempted to remain current with business affairs at Sedgwick, Collins.
Post World War II
Lewis parted with Sedgwick, Collins in 1947. He went to work for Arbon Langrish, and succeeded to its chairmanship upon death of its senior partner. Once again, Lewis went offshore to build up American accounts for his firm. As late as November 1960, Lewis was still active as liquidator on an insurance brokerage that month, with his address being given in London. Lewis sold out Arbon Langrish to Clarkeson in 1965.When Gwilym Hugh Lewis died on 18 December 1996, aged 99. He was Lloyd's of London's oldest member, as well as the oldest of the two World War I British aces remaining. The other ace, his near namesake Cecil Lewis
Cecil Lewis
Cecil Arthur Lewis MC was a British fighter pilot who flew in World War I. He went on to co-found the BBC and enjoy a long career as a writer....
, was a year younger and died a month later.
Honors and awards
Citation for award of the Distinguished Flying CrossLieut. (T./Capt.) Gwilym Hugh Lewis (Northamptonshire Regiment).
It is largely due to this officer's ability
and judgment as a flight leader that many
enemy machines have been destroyed with
very few casualties in his formation. He is
bold in attack, and has personally accounted
for eight enemy aircraft, displaying marked
disregard of personal danger.
Reference
- Franks, Norman. SE 5/5a Aces of World War I: Volume 78 of Aircraft of the Aces. Osprey Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1-84603-180-9, 9781846031809.
Further reading
- There Shall be Wings: The RAF: 1918 to the Present. Max Arthur. Hodder & Stoughton, 1993. ISBN 978-0-340-58761-4, 9780340587614.
- Wings over the Somme, 1916-1918. Gwilym Hugh Lewis. Kimber, 1976. ISBN 978-0-7183-0324-2, 9780718303242.