Arthur James Lewis joined the 15th Field Ambulance after arriving to the war on July 4, 1917. He later on joined the 12th Field Ambulance to which he died with.
The Field Ambulances had the responsibility for 'Second Line' causality evacuation from 'First Line' Regimental Aid Posts within each battalion. The men involved were trained to apply First Aid which included; clearing airways, staunching bleeding, and even splinting fractures. Fallen soldiers were hand carried requiring at least 4 men. When attacking or being attacked the division would follow the leading battalions resulting in their exposure to the enemy's direct fire (machine guns and rifles) as well as indirect fire (gas and artillery mortar fire).
Attempting to evacuate the fallen and wounded soldiers took a fair amount of time due to: poor weather conditions, excessive amounts of water and mud, the stress of battle, the shell-torn terrain and enemy advances. However once the soldiers were out of battle, other difficulties presented themselves including a high risk of infection, called sepsis, which may have resulted in a lifesaving surgery.
Battles
During Arthur's time serving with the 15th Field Ambulance, he worked along with the 5th division which was involved in the following battle phases and battles:
The Battles of Arras - 1917 The 3rd Battle of Ypres
The Battle of Vimy The Battle of Polygon Wood
The attack on La Coulotte The Battle of Broodseinde
The Third Battle of the Scarpe The Battle of Poelcapelle
The Second Battle of Passchendaele
Burial/Memorial Information
Arthur James Lewis was killed in action on September 3rd, 1918 when he was 20 years old. He was buried in plot 1.A.28 in the Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt; Pas de Calais, France. The villages Vis-en-Artois and Haucourt are located in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais on the road to Cambrai from Arras. The cemetery is located on the northern side of the main road between Vis-en-Artois and Haucourt.
Arthur was displayed in the Memorial Chamber of Peace Tower on September 25 1918.
The 15th Field
Ambulance
Music in the War
Music played an important role in World War 1 for the soldiers as well as the home front. The troops, when given the opportunity, would sing constantly whether marching to and from trenches, while in the trenches, or pubs or even while waiting between battles.
To a bystander the singing might seem like nothing but to the soldiers it served a purpose. Music assisted in bringing soliditary to groups, strengthening morale, diminishing fear and just simply creating a lack of boredom, frustration and severity of living in the military. At the home front there were no radios or TV , allowing fewer sources of entertainment. Pianos at this time were a very important source of entertainment. They could be found in pubs and in most homes with at least one family member having the ability to play.
Music halls were also a huge part of the entertainment scheme. Many English halls would play songs like "We Don't want to Lose you, but We Think you ought to go", which was very popular, and many anti-German songs such as "When Belgium Put the Kybosh on the Kaiser". People would attend Theatres across Britain to sing to well-known songs and/or watch entertainers; can-can dancers, acrobats and trapeze artists. Music halls had a tendency to promote patriotism. Songs describing the virtues of the British Empire and the Great War allowed these songs to increase the success of music halls. Across the country the halls were packed and there didn't seem to be a shortage of them either. London had over 300 music halls across the city. The audience tended to belt out their favorite songs while drinking cheap alcohol.
Towards the end of the year 1914 over 30 songs were written that promoted recruitment. The recruitment songs written to be played at Music Halls by female stars really got through to the men. A singer names Vesta Tilley sang a song called 'Your King and Country Want You.'
"Oh, we don't want to lose you but we think you ought to go.
For your King and your country both need you so."
This lyric of the song clearly portrays how the men should go off to war for their king and country. During these performances, young men were brought up onto the stage from the audience and were asked to join the army. Anyone who didn't do so were given a white feather (a symbol of cowardice) by a child.
This page is displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on September 25.
An advanced dressing station used by a Field Ambulance (September 1916).
Arthur James Lewis' grave plot 1. A. 28.
Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt; Pas de Calais, France.
Arthur's Attestation papers.
Other Information
Top 5 songs during WW1
1) Keep the Home Fires Burning
Ivor Novello (21)
This song touched the hearts of families after the war began, giving them hope.
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2) Pack up Your Troubles
Felix Powell and George Henry Powell
This is a happy marching song written in 1915 that was popular in music halls and films.
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3) Le tombeau de Couperin
First performed by Marguerite Long
Marguerite was widowed by one of the fallen soldiers in WW1.
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4) Over There
George M Cohan
The mood for this song was set by propaganda and the hope of a short war.
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5) In Flanders
Ivor Gurney
Ivor wrote songs and poems while in the trenches where he was gassed and shot at.
*Note: These letters are not genuine. They are a creative potrayal and understanding of what Arthur's experience in the war was like.
Voiced by Alexander Peterson.
Voiced by Jane Peterson.
Arthur James Lewis
Arthur James Lewis was born June 9, 1897 in Peterborough Ontario to loving parents James and Sarah Jane Lewis. He was a student before joining the war with 1 year of previous military experience in the 57th Regiment. He was presumed to be 18 years 11 months when he enlisted June 7, 1916 in Peterborough Ontario. Arthur was, as stated on his medical examination (post enlistment), 5ft 7 1/2 inches tall with a 32 inch girth and a 3 inch range of expansion. He had a dark complexion, dark hair and blue eyes. Arthur agreed to serve one year, or during the war between Great Britain and Germany, should the war have lasted longer than one year.
Arthur was finally cleared for service June 7, 1916. However, he spent about a year in training during which he had Lumbago and was discharged and had a right strangulated hernia and was operated on . Both of these incidents had Arthur visiting the Kingston Hospital Ungwanada Military.
Arthur arrived to England July 4, 1917 to which he started serving with the 15th Field Ambulance as part of the Canadian Army Medical Corps as a Private. Arthur's service number was 535984. Later on during the war Arthur was switched to the 12th Field Ambulance to which he served until his death. He sent an assigned pay of $20.00 to his mother, Sarah Jane Lewis (next of kin), until September 3, 1918 to which Arthur died at age 20. 'He was killed in action' was the only information provided from his attestation papers. However, presumably his death was from his divisions exposure to the dangers of war. In total, from the day Arthur arrived in Europe to the day of his death, Arthur served a total of 426 days or about 60 weeks, 6 days. Arthur was buried in the Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt; Pas de Calais, France and Arthur has rested there since.