WALTER LEWIS
Born: 1887, Woolverstone, Suffolk.
Died: 8th February 1901; age: 24; Died of Enteric Fever, at Middelburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
ENTERIC FEVER Enteric Fever (eneterica serotype bacteria) was a rampant bacterial infection during the South Africa Boer War – 1899 – 1902.
This systemic disease, now known as Typhoid Fever, from the bacterium Salmonella typhi, is characterised by fever and abdominal pain. The disease is spread via the lymphatic system and can affect other parts of the body, or even the whole body. The symptoms usually developed a week or two after a person had became infected bringing on a high temperature, headaches, coughs, lethargy, aches and pains, lose of appetite, sickness and diarrhoea. After 2 – 3 weeks intestinal bleeding.
Enteric Fever was originally thought to be spread via dust storms and flies.
Human carriers with acute illness can contaminate the surrounding water supply through their faeces, which contains a high concentration of the bacteria. The polluted water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply. Enteric (Typhoid) Fever is then contracted by drinking, or eating the contaminated food or water. This bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage.
In 1897, an effective vaccine was developed by Almroth Wright and William Leisman, at the Army Medical School, Netley. At the time of the Boer War, the new inoculation had many side effects, and soldiers refused the voluntary immunisation. The inoculation was still voluntary in August 1914, when Great Britain entered the First World War.
Residence: Ipswich Road, Woolverstone.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 4447.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion.
Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal + South Africa 1901 & Clasp.
CENSUS
1881 Woolverstone Road, Woolverstone, Suffolk.
Walter was 3 years old, He was living with his parents & siblings.
George Lewis, 41, an Agricultural Labourer, born Ipswich.
Emma Lewis (nee Rush), 36, born Holbrook, Suffolk.
William Lewis, 14, an Agricultural Labourer,
George Lewis, 12, a Shepherd’s Page, born Woolverstone.
Emma Lewis, 10, born Woolverstone.
David Lewis, 9, born Woolverstone.
Alfred Lewis, 7, born Woolverstone.
Henry Lewis, 5, born Woolverstone.
Herbert Lewis, 1, born Woolverstone.
1891 Ipswich Road, Woolverstone, Suffolk.
Walter, was 13 years old, an Agricultural Labourer. He was living with his parents & brothers.
George, 51, an Agricultural Labourer.
Emma, 47.
William was 24 years old, a Luggage Van Driver – died November 1899, Woolverstone.
Frederick Lewis, 6, born Woolverstone.
Soldiers’ Effects to George Lewis – father.
Walter is remembered on his brother, William’s headstone at St. Miachael’s Church, Woolverstone, Suffolk. https://woolverstone.com/william-lewis-walter-lewis/
One of the notable Battles with a large loss of Suffolk life was the “Battle of Suffolk hill” at Colesberg, Northern Cape 5th- 6th January 1900. The hill was originally called Red or Grassy Hill. The Suffolk regiment was ordered to make a night attack on a Boer position on the heights, four companies, 354 of all ranks, set out at midnight under the command of Col. Watson. The Suffolks were met by a storm of bullets. The Colonel was amongst the first to fall, and the party later retired with 11 officers and 150+ men killed, wounded or captured.
Help to compile Walter’s page courtesy of Lorraine.
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