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Lewis, Richard Maurice Hull

    Date of birth:
    July 30th, 1897
    Date of death:
    October 16th, 1972
    Service number:
    11419
    Nationality:
    British

    Biography

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Brigadier
    Awarded on:
    October 11th, 1945
    Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Brigadier
    Awarded on:
    January 16th, 1948
    Commandeur in de Orde van Oranje Nassau met zwaarden (ON.3x)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Colonel
    Awarded on:
    September 25th, 1947

    With palm
    Commandeur in de Orde van Leopold II
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Colonel
    Awarded on:
    September 25th, 1947

    With palm
    Croix de Guerre 1940

    War Diary mentions

    15 May 1944 WO 171/304 - 8 Corps CA
    All officers attended a lecture given by the Corps Comd (Lt.Gen. Sir R.N. O’Connor, KCB, DSO, MC). Lecture was followed by talks by DA&QMG and AQMG (Lt.Col. A.B. Coote) on methods of embarkation and disembarkation. SCAO 2nd Army (Brig R.M.H. Lewis, MC) arrived at 1600 hrs at WORTH HALL for the night. A discussion with all officers was held at 1800 hrs.

    3 August 1944 WO 171/304 - 8 Corps CA
    SCAO 2 Army (Brig R.M. Lewis) and Col Lion (French LO) visited this HQ. Decided that (a) 210 det (L of C) to take over area from 218 det as far South as BAYEUX arrondissement bdy. (b) 223 det to be ready to take over such part of Arrondissement of VIRE as falls into Br sector (not for FLERS as originally stated) (c) 8 Corps to incl 30 Corps RTA (d) Civilian Adm BAYEUX can revictual civilians within BAYEUX Arrdt up to any line which Comd 8 Corps agrees. SCAO 8 Corps to inform Army of Comd’s decision.

    13 August 1944 WO 171/304 - 8 Corps CA
    SCAO 2 Army (Brig R.M. Lewis) visited all dets with SCAO.

    8 October 1944 WO 171/304 - 8 Corps CA
    SCAO 2 Army (Brig RMH Lewis MC) visited.

    24 October 1944 WO 171/304 - 8 Corps CA
    SCAO Army visited and discussed evac of refugees. Brig Lewis said that evac could only take place up to dispersal limits of Corps op area. Applications for dispersal beyond this area must be authorised by G Army.

    24 October 1944 WO 171/304 - 8 Corps CA
    -1900. SCAO and SO1 E visited (1) CA Army discussed with Col Adm (a) policy for evac 3 Div area. Similar restrictions as given by Brig Lewis (see above) (b) Retention of CRTA Camp. Col Wood to ask Netherlands authorities for extention of permission to use present camp which is destined to become a trg unit camp for Netherlands. (c) Question of putting lunatics in WEERT. Col Wood to investigate possibility of accn in institutions in Belgium (d) replacements of American MO and PH Offr by Br Offrs - already been taken up by Army (2) 524 Det and inspected bks at WEERT. Decided accn suitable for lunatics if necessary. Cooking and serving utensils required, civil authorities could continue to feed 2,500 people for 14 days. (3) 513 Det WEERT reported to be short of fats, oil, butter and no electric power. SO1 E expIained Reports reqrd by Corps HQ.

    26 November 1944 WO 171/304 - 8 Corps CA
    SCAO and SO1 (E) visited Brig Lewis (SCAO Second Amy) to discuss evacuation of area 2000 yards wide on West of R. MAAS. Bdr Lewis agreed to plan in principle.

    2 December 1944 WO 171/304 - 8 Corps CA
    Brig Lewis visited CA 8 Corps and accomanpied by SO1 (E) proceeded to inspect ST SERVATIUS.

    9 December 1944 WO 171/304 - 8 Corps CA
    Brig Lewis arrived 1000 hrs and proceeded with SCAO to OOSTRUM asylum to investigate conditions there - later going to BLERICK to see evacuation being carried out during darkness by 529 (A) Det.

    24 December 1944 WO 171/304 - 8 Corps CA
    Brig Lewis visited CA 8 Corps and discussed civilian Sup, transport and accomodation situation in Corps area.

    Sources

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