Discharged on Medical Grounds

On the 16^th May 1916, Alfred Walter Reed Lewis, my Great Grandfather in Law, was discharged from the army on medical grounds as being no longer physically fit for War service.

Alfred had enlisted with the Army Service Corps (ASC) on the 1^st May 1915 at Holloway, North London and served in A Company of the 41^st Field Butchery. He had been posted as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force to Salonika, Greece in Oct 1915, but had returned home in January 1916 suffering from heart problems and shortage of breath following heavy exertion.

He had been hospitalised since his return to England and on the 16^th March 1916 the medical board reported that he was suffering from Valvurian Disease of the Heart (Mitral), which had originated 12 years ago in London, in civilian life. It was not caused by or aggravated by active service however it recommended that he be discharged with permanent disability capacity as on enlistment as per Kings Regulations.

Alfred was aged 29 years 177 days old and was 5ft 6 inches tall, with dark hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. He was discharged from the ASC discharge depot, Catterick, Yorkshire. His discharge papers indicated a good military character and that he was a good butcher. He had served for 1 year and 17 days and had spent the last three months in hospital.

Alfred returned home to Kelvin Road, Highbury Park, North London and his wife Alice May, his daughter Doris (Dolly) aged 4 ½ years and son Alfred aged 3 ½.

Al Barnes Tango Band

Alfred Walter Reed Lewis pictured with the Al Barnes tango band in 1931. 

Landing in Salonika

In October 1915 a combined Franco-British force of some two large brigades was landed at Salonika (today called Thessalonika) at the request of the Greek Prime Minister. The objective was to help the Serbs in their fight against Bulgarian aggression.

Arriving with them was Pte. Alfred Walter Read Lewis, a butcher from Hackney, serving with A Company of the Army Service Corps. He had been assigned to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force since 22nd July 1915

His youngest daughter Jessie Lily Lewis who had been born in April 1915 and was just one month old when Alfred enlisted with the Army Service Corps on the 1st May, had passed away between May and June 1915.

The expedition however arrived too late, the Serbs having been beaten before they landed. It was decided to keep the force in place for future operations.