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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 261

Three: Engineer Captain S. R. Lewis, Royal Navy, who was recommended for a D.S.O. for his fine work aboard Concord in 1916

1914-15 Star (Eng. Lt. Cr. S. R. Lewis, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Eng. Commr. S. R. Lewis, R.N.), good very fine (3)

Samuel Richard Lewis was born at Edinburgh, Scotland on 1 March 1877, the son of Edward Lewis, a Fleet Engineer with the Royal Navy, and Elizabeth. Joining the Royal Navy as Probationary Assistant Engineer on 31 May 1897 at Pembroke.

Promoted Engineer Lieutenant on 1 April 1903 and served aboard a number of vessels prior to the Great War including Jupiter, Hood and Essex. Further advanced Engineer Lieutenant Commander on 31 March 1911 and joined Concord on 14 July 1915 before she had finished construction. Here his Commanding Officer recommended him for the Distinguished Service Order stating:

'Carried out his duties in a most efficient manner, ship has never been out of action, or delayed by engine or boiler trouble'

The Concord at the time was part of Harwich Force and the Rear-Admiral commanding this force added his weight strongly to the recommendation, but no award was granted.

Lewis remained with this ship, being promoted Engineer Commander, until the end of the war when he joined Actaeon on 22 February 1919. Retiring on 1 March 1919 with the rank of Engineer Captain Lewis moved to Southsea. Here he died on 4 April 1940 of a fractured skull as a result of a fall from 17A Elphinstone Road, Southsea. The inquest into his death ruled it to be suicide; sold together with copied service papers and typed research.

For the medals of the recipient's brother, Engineer Captain E. E. Lewis, see Lot 260.

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Sold for
£350

Starting price
£130