No.5 Canadian Field Ambulance
Private Alec James Lewis 126744 born in Ealing, Middlesex, England. Mother Mrs Sophia Lewis, and father Mr Henry B Lewis of 107 Regent St, Stratford, Ontario.
Private Alec James Lewis attested with the 71st Overseas Battalion at London, Ontario on 29 September 1916, later sending $20 of his monthly pay home to his parents.
71st Overseas Battalion
Organized in August 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Matheson Sutherland, and later mobilized at Woodstock, and recruited in Woodstock, Stratford and Galt. Later, a draft of 5 officers and 248 other ranks sent to England on 20 November 1915. Embarked from Halifax 5 April 1916 aboard OLYMPIC, and later disembarked England 11 April 1916 with a strength of 36 officers, 1009 other ranks. Later absorbed by 44th, 54th and 74th Battalions on 30 September 1916, draft to 12th Canadian Machine Gun Company. Perpetuated by The Oxford Rifles.
Private Alec James Lewis stood 5′ 2″ tall, 116 pounds, with dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.
Pte Lewis embarked from Halifax aboard SS OLYMPIC on 1 April 1916, later disembarking Liverpool on 11 April 1916.
Private Alec James Lewis attached to Bugle Band, Bramshott, 14 April 1916. Admitted to Isolation Hospital, Aldershot, 17 May 1916, and later discharged on 12 June 1916.
Pte Lewis with the 44th Battalion from 10 July 1916.
44th Battalion
The 44th Battalion organized in February 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Robert Wayland, and later mobilized at Winnipeg, and recruited in Winnipeg. Then, a draft of 5 officers and 249 other ranks sent to England on 4 September 1915, and a draft of 10 officers and 500 other ranks from 44th and 45th Battalions sent to England on 1 June 1915. Embarked from Halifax 23 October 1915 aboard LAPLAND, and later disembarked England 30 October 1915, with a strength of 36 officers, 1076 other ranks.
The 44th Battalion disembarked in France 10 August 1916 with the 4th Canadian Division, 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 18th Canadian Reserve Battalion and returned to England 23 April 1919. Disembarked in Canada 4 June 1919, and finally demobilized 6 June 1919. Perpetuated by The Carleton Light Infantry. Which, in 1936, amalgamated with The York Regiment to form The Carleton and York Regiment. Later perpetuation changed 11 September 1969 to The Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
Private Alec James Lewis transferred to 14th Canadian Field Ambulance, CAMC, 17 July 1916.
14th Canadian Field Ambulance
Organized at Shorncliffe in May 1918 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel George G Corbet with personnel from Canadian Army Medical Corps Depot at Shorncliffe, many of whom from disbanded units of the 5th Canadian Division, and later arrived in France 6 June 1918 as Corps Troops. Demobilized at Toronto in June 1919.
Private Alec James Lewis treated for appendicitis (operation considered inadvisable), 28 October 1917 at No.12 General Hospital, Bramshott. Later discharged to duty, 3 November 1917.
Private Alec James Lewis transferred to No.5 Canadian Field Ambulance, and arrived in France, 20 March 1918, later arriving at his unit on 21 April 1918.
No.5 Canadian Field Ambulance
Organized in November 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel George Devey Farmer, and later mobilized at Toronto and Hamilton, and recruited in Military District No.2. Left Halifax 18 April 1915 aboard NORTHLAND, and later arrived in England 29 April 1915 with a strength of 11 officers, 248 other ranks. Arrived in France 16 September 1915, with the 2nd Canadian Division, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade until 16 August 1915. With the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade thereafter, later demobilized at Toronto in May 1919.
Private Alec James Lewis (MIKAN No.3397067), 5th Canadian Field Ambulance, giving aid to a Canadian soldier whose upper arm was broken by a piece of shrapnel during the advance east of Arras.
Demobilization
Private Alec James Lewis proceeded to England on 7 April 1919.
Medical examination reveals defective vision (myopic astigmatism), 13 April 1919 at Witley Camp.
Private Alec James Lewis later discharged at No.2 District Depot, Toronto on 19 May 1919. Proposed residence after discharge 379 Brunswick St., Stratford, Ontario.