Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas (Tom) Lewis, a coal miner, born 1861 in Gorsley Gloucestershire (son of John Lewis, 1834-1906 and Jane Gillett, 1836) and his wife Martha Lewis (nee Read, married on the 16th April 1884 in Leicester), born in the April quarter of 1862 in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire. Isaac was born in the October quarter of 1889 in Ibstock, his siblings were, George, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1885, Lucy Ann, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1886 and Gertrude, born in the April quarter of 1888, all his siblings were born in Ibstock, in April 1891 the family home was at Hugglescote Road, Ibstock. In March 1901 Isaac was residing in the family home at Hugglescote Road, Ibstock, together with his father, a coal miner hewer, his mother and siblings, George, a coal mine horse driver, Gertrude, Joseph Henry, born in the April quarter of 1892, Jane, born in the January quarter of 1894, John, born on the 15th April 1896 and Albert, born in the January quarter of 1899, the latter four siblings were all born in Ibstock. In April 1911 Isaac was employed as a coal mine loader and was residing in the family home at 228, Leicester Road, Ibstock together with his father, a coal mine charge man, his mother and siblings, Joseph, a coal mine pony driver, Jane, John, a coal mine pony driver, Albert, a schoolboy and Beatrice, a schoolgirl, born in the October quarter of 1903 in Ibstock. On the 20th June 1914, Isaac married Emily Blakesley in St. Leonard’s Church, Leicester (daughter of John Alfred Blakesley, 1858-1921 and Emily Botterill, 1861-1915). Emily was born on the 11th November 1893 in Leicester and baptised on the 20th November 1901 in St. Leonard’s Church, Leicester, Isaac and Emily had a daughter, Edna May, born on the 3rd December 1914. The family home was at 234, Leicester Road, Ibstock. In the April quarter of 1920, Isaac’s widow married William Ernest Badcock in the Market Bosworth, Leicestershire district, William was born in the April quarter of 1894 in Ibstock, they resided at 52, Leicester Road, Ibstock.
Isaac’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Coalville, date not known.
Joined. At Chatham, Kent, date not known.
Posted. To Corps of Royal Engineers, Sapper, date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 136017.
Posted. To 254th Tunnelling Company, date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in Egypt on the 7th December 1915.
Transferred to France, date not known.
Killed in action. In the Field, on the 19th June 1917.
Buried in Poperinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Isaac nominated his wife, Emily as his sole legatee.
On the 29th December 1917 Isaac’s widow Emily, was awarded a weekly Army Pension of eighteen shillings and nine pence for herself and her daughter to commence on the 31st December 1917, on the 1st February 1919 the pension was increased to twenty-four shillings and one penny.
The British War and Victory Medals were returned under the following reference in the Medal Award Roll Register: - “Retd. Para 992. K.R’s C.R.V. 492B/d/7/3/24/ 8426/Adt.”
The War Diary records: 17 Jun-17 – Rest: - 4 NCO’s and 16 OR’s proceed from unit to Boulogne on rest.
The War Diary records: 18 Jun-17 – Nil.
The War Diary records: 19 Jun-17 – Enemy shelled our camp last night at about 8.30pm.
On Saturday June 30th 1917, The Leicester Mail published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” – IBSTOCK SOLDIER KILLED. Sapper Isaac Lewis, R.E., has been killed in action. He was an Ibstock volunteer and leaves a wife and child.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday June 29th, 1917

We regret to announce that Sapper Isaac Lewis, an Ibstock volunteer, has been killed in the recent fighting on the Western Front. He leaves a wife and one child. His single brother, John Lewis, has just come out of hospital having lost a leg and received a crippled hand in the fighting in France.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 13th, 1917

A letter from Sapper Jesse Blakemore, mate of Sapper Isaac Lewis, who was killed in action on the Western Front, on the 19th June, has been received by Mrs Lewis. The writer says their section felt his death very keenly, as he was very much liked by his comrades. He states he had just left Lewis to go on duty, when the Germans suddenly began a bombardment, and he was the first to fall.

THANKS

Mrs Lewis and family wish to thank all friends who have so kindly expressed sympathy with them in their recent bereavement in the death of Sapper Isaac Lewis, on June 19th last.

Coalville Times article - Friday June 21st, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Sapper Isaac Lewis, R.E.

“A devoted husband, a faithful friend,
One of the best that God could lend
He bravely answered duty’s call,
His life he gave for one and all.
But the unknown grave is the bitterest blow.
None but an aching heart can know.”

From his sorrowing Wife and Child, Ibstock.

In ever loving memory of Sapper Isaac Lewis, R.E., who was killed in action on June 19th, 1917.

“Somewhere in France the stars are gleaming,
On a grave we shall never see,
Where sleeping without dreaming,
Lies the one so dear to us.
We pictured his safe returning,
Andy longed to clasp his hand,
But Death has postponed the meeting,
Twill be in a Better Land.”

From his loving Mother and Father, Brothers and Sisters, and all.

Coalville Times article - Friday June 20th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In ever loving memory of our dear Brother, Sapper Isaac Lewis, who was killed June 19th, 1917.

“Sleep on dear brother, in thy lonely grave,
Your life for your country you nobly gave,
No loved ones around you to bid you good-bye
But in God’s own keeping, you safely lie.”

From his loving Sister and Brother-in-law, Jane and Tom.

In ever loving memory of my dear husband, Sapper Isaac Lewis, who was killed in action, June 19th, 1917.

“In his prime of life he was cut down,
He could no longer stay,
Because it was his Saviour’s wish
To call him hence away.
Some may think I forget him
If at times I am apt to smile,
Little thinking grief is hidden,
‘Neath the surface all the while.”

From his sorrowing Wife and Child.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 17/11/2017