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Auction: 22102 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction VI - e-Auction
Lot: 171

Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Sidney Edward Lewis), with Condolence slip, very fine

Sidney Edward Lewis was born at Pontrhydyfen, Glamorgan in January 1899, the son of John and Mary Lewis of King’s Head, Michaelston, Glamorgan. Enlisting with Royal Air Force Lewis served as a Sergeant (Observer) with 55 Squadron flying bombing missions over Germany. On a raid targeting Mannheim on 13 August 1918 they were caught by thick cloud over Pfalzburg rendering it impossible for them to reach their objective. Releasing their bombs over Buhl aerodrome they returned for home however soon six enemy aircraft were spotted, which swooped into the attack. Two enemy aircraft came in too close and were heavy damaged by fire from the Observers, with one destroyed and the other forced to land however Lewis’ craft was shot down and his pilot Lieutenant E. P. Critchley wounded. Lewis himself was killed in the crash and is buried at Charmes Military Cemtery, Essegney; sold together with copied research including Commonwealth War Graves details, No.55 Squadron Casualty list and an extract relating to their raid of 13 August 1918.

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Sold for
£110

Starting price
£30