Lewis and his family moved from London to Zurich in 1910, and then Lewis himself moved from Zurich to Paris in 1912, at the age of 15.
He worked in a wholesale furrier’s business from August 1912 (in those days, it was seen as fashionable. Today we view it differently) where he remained - with a break for military service during WW1 - until the end of 1939 (these dates are recorded in an exemplary reference he was given by the business owner, where it also stated that when Lewis returned to Paris, after the Second World War, his job would be kept for him).

His work included taking care of goods, maintaining stock records, dealing with customers, corresponding in three languages; French, English and German and generally assisting the owner.

Lewis enlisted into the British Army in December 1915 (he was still technically a British citizen, not yet having changed his status).

Lewis joined under the Derby Scheme (named after its creator). It was better for him to volunteer than wait for conscription, which was just a matter of time. Under the Derby Scheme, he had some say as to what he did. He earned a day’s wage (when he attested, that is signed the legal document agreeing to enlisting – this was merely a legal contractual obligation, that the enlister should receive some sort of pay). He was given an armulet to wear, showing his status (as a volunteer soldier).

Between January and March 1916, Lewis was sent to Portsmouth, England, to begin his training in the Army. He had joined the Royal Field Artillery, Signallers.

Lewis’ regiment number was 119208. He was in the cavalry, and had a horse named ‘Dolly’, whom he loved.

Lewis passed his Signaller’s course with a First Class pass.

Due to Lewis’ father (Barnett) being born ‘an alien from an enemy country at war’, ie: born in Galicia, then part of the Austrio-Hungarian Empire, Lewis was not allowed to serve with the main regiments, fighting ‘at the front’ for fear of sabotage. Instead, along with other ‘aliens’ (many foreigners and Jews who were also children of foreigners) they were sent to the Middlesex Regiment. Lewis transferred to this regiment in about July 1916.

He joined the 30th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, as a Private in the Infantry (foot soldier, rather than cavalry as before). His Army number was: G/35894 (there is an incorrect number given in one of the standard published lists of soldiers, where it shows: G/35594 instead of the correct G/35894).

When the new Labour Companies formed in the Spring or Summer of 1917, he was selected for the 5th Infantry Labour Company, Middlesex Regiment, and sent to France (or possibly Flanders).

After his discharge, Lewis returned to his job in Paris, but returned to the UK in the Second World War, and was in the Home Defence Force. Lewis came from Paris to act as surrogate father to his niece and nephew, and give support to his sister, Lily, who was then a refugee from Vienna. He remained in the UK and died on the 3rd December 1977 in Golders Green, London.

All info provided by Miriam Selwyn, Lewis' great niece.