On February 4, 1917, Sgt. Arthur Llewellyn Lewis found himself, and the balance of the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles just outside Mont-St. Eloi near the Vimy Ridge along the Western Front. He was far from the hills and valleys of his native Wales, and even further from his adopted home in America. This was not his first military service. After immigrating to America, Arthur served for three years in the US Army as a member of the horse cavalry, serving during the Mexican Campaign. With the outbreak of the Great World War, Arthur, a loyal Welshman, was honor bound to serve King and Country. Since the US was not yet involved in combat operations, he traveled to Quebec and volunteered. On February 5, 1917, the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles, now more infantry than cavalry, were moved forward into the front lines alongside the 4th CMR. Upon arrival, his commanding officer observed that the enemy had improved their defenses since the 5th’s last tour along the front lines, and expressed concern that the enemy was preparing an attack. Patrols were sent out, but nothing unusual was discovered. At 5:45 pm on February 7, 1917, the 5th’s commanding officer made note of an explosion along his lines. Although this is a serious event, it is not until two days later on the 9th of February that he learned what had happened. While temporarily assigned to the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade, Sgt Lewis along with Pvt. Yuill were assigned to man a defensive mortar when a mortar round prematurely exploded and killed them instantly. I don’t know if my great uncle knew Pvt. Yuill prior to that fateful day that inextricably linked their lives and deaths forever, but I would like to think that they had been friends, for you see they are buried together in a double grave in the Ecoivres Military Cemetery, and have been together every day since. History is rife with stories like that of my great uncle. Stories of men and women who sacrificed their lives for the greater good, for freedom and for their fellow man. Tomorrow, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour, I will quietly pause and say a prayer for the cessation of all hostilities around the world, and for those who have served, are serving and will serve the cause of freedom.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 04:57:31 +0000
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