Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Gadd, a stone quarry engine driver, born on the 8th June 1869 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire and baptised on the 1st May 1870 in St. Peter’s Church, Mountsorrel (son of Richard Gadd, 1844-1884 and Priscilla Whitehouse, 1844-1884) and his wife Ellen Gadd (nee Cheshire, married on the 26th December 1891 in in Christ Church, Mountsorrel), born in the January quarter of 1869 in Mountsorrel and baptised on the 28th March 1869 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel (daughter of George Cheshire and Ann Noon). Lewis James was born in the October quarter of 1896 in Mountsorrel, he had one sibling, a brother George Frederick, born in the January quarter of 1893 in Mountsorrel and baptised on the 2nd July 1893 in St. Peter’s Church, Mountsorrel, in March 1901 the family home was at The Green, Mountsorrel. In April 1911 Lewis was employed as a drill turner and was residing in the family home at Rothley Lane, Mountsorrel, together with his father, a locomotive driver, his mother and siblings, George, a shoe trade riveter, Ivy Isobel, a schoolgirl, born on the 28th August 1904 and baptised on the 25th September 1904 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel and Arthur Richard, born on the 25th May 1907 and baptised on the 14th July 1907 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel, the latter two siblings were both born in Mountsorrel.
Lewis attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years’ Service in the United Kingdom on the 31st August 1914 in Mountsorrel. He gave his place of birth as Mountsorrel, Loughborough, Leicestershire, his age as 17 years and 10 months and his trade or calling as fitter, his present employer being The Mountsorrel Granite Co. He gave his home address as 16, Rothley Road. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, James Gadd, his mother Ellen Gadd, brother’s George and Arthur, all of 16, Rothley Road, Mountsorrel as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 31 and 34½ inches. His vision and physical development were both described as good. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force on the 31st August 1914 in Mountsorrel. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2276 on the 31/8/14. Posted to the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and embodied service commenced on the 31/8/14. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 26/2/15. Landed at Le Havre on the 27/2/15. Admitted to No.10 Stationary Hospital at St. Omer suffering from scarlet fever on the 9/4/15. Discharged to duty at the North Midland Division Base Depot at Rouen on the 3/5/15. Proceeded to join his unit at the front on the 9/6/15. Missing and assumed killed in action on the 13/10/15. Missing and struck off strength of the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 29/11/15. To remain as missing in accordance with (D.A.F.G.B.) letter dated the 7/12/15. On the 12/7/16 regarded for official purposes as having died. In the Field. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 31/8/14 – 27/2/15, 181 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 28/2/15 – 13/10/15, 229 days. Total service 1 year 45 days. Lewis was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Lewis’s father James Gadd on the 29th April 1919, and was witnessed and signed by -?-, J.P. for the County of Leicester, Mountsorrel, Loughborough on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, James Gadd of Mountsorrel, Loughborough. Mother of soldier, Helen Gadd of Mountsorrel, Loughborough. Full blood brother of soldier, Arthur Richard Gadd, age 12 of Mountsorrel, Loughborough. Full blood sister of soldier, Ivy Isabel Gadd, age 14 of Mountsorrel, Loughborough.
On the 18th July 1916, Lewis’s mother Ellen was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of five shillings, to commence on the 25th July 1916.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
An account of the action between the 12th and 15th October records: On the 12th October 1915 the Battalion marched the ten miles from the village of Hesdigneul to the Redoubt in “fighting order”, with great coats rolled and strapped to their backs. They arrived at 10.00pm at Vermelles, and the following eight hours were spent packed solid in communication trenches. Each soldier carried six sandbags and every third a shovel. As you could imagine, none of them slept and the lucky ones had a drink before our artillery opened up at noon on the 13th October. The enemy artillery responded fifteen minutes later, and at 1.00pm we released chlorine gas, and disastrously for us an enemy shell shattered some containers in our frontline. At 2.00pm our troops, many wearing gas helmets went “over the top” and bayonet charged the enemy positions. Terrific machine gun fire tore into them and a shrapnel barrage added to the heavy casualties. Hours passed and furious hand to hand fighting took place and repeated bayonet charges drove the enemy back, who in turn counter attacked. After darkness fell Lance Corporal Clayson of the 1/5th Battalion saved many lives by dragging wounded back to our trenches, and Captain Barton spent hours in No Man’s land giving morphine and water to the dying. When food and drink was brought up during the night the men had their first meal for twenty-four hours, but still no sleep. The morning of the fourteenth was very misty and this became smog as the Germans continued to use shrapnel and gas shells throughout the day. It was at 8.00am on the fifteenth that the relief was completed and buses took most of our troops back to Hesdigneul. The 1/5th Battalion lost four officers, six wounded, two gassed and thirty-five men killed, one hundred and thirty-two wounded and twenty-two gassed.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At 6.00 am Battalion in place in RESERVE trench. At 12.00 noon bombardment of enemy trench FOSSE 8 commenced. At 1.00 pm smoke and gas turned on until 1.50 pm. At 2.00 pm assault. 5th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT and 4th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT advanced in lines of platoon at 50 paces distance against HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. 4th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT attacked from 2nd line followed by the MONMOUTHSHIRE REGIMENT. REDOUBT captured but lines checked and stopped by Machine Gun fire from MAD POINT, MADAGASCAR, and SOUTH FACE, also heavy rifle fire FOSSE and DUMP TRENCH. First two lines as almost all Company officers became casualties. REDOUBT and half of NORTH FACE was held – LITTLE WILLIE and BIG WILLIE still in enemy hands. At 3.00 pm “B” Company sent up to reinforce centre and left of REDOUBT followed by “A” and part of “D” Companies. Machine Guns in position along original front line now held by “C” Company and parts of other regiments. Considerable progress made along LITTLE WILLIE by grenade party under Lieutenant C. H. F. WOLLASTON. Ground lost again owing to lack of grenades. At 5.30 pm ground now held consisted of front face of REDOUBT and up to LITTLE WILLIE and point 60. Remainder of REDOUBT untenable by either side. 138th Brigade relieved gradually by 139th Brigade. 138th Brigade hold original front-line trench. Many of “A” and “B” Companies still remained in the REDOUBT during the whole of next day.
On Thursday, November 25th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Private LEWIS JAMES GADD (2276), C Company, 1st-5th Leicester Regiment, officially reported missing since Oct. 13, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Gadd, 16, Rothley-road, Mountsorrel. He is 19 years of age, and was last seen in the engagement at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. He joined the 5th Leicester’s soon after the outbreak of war, and went to France last February. Owing to an attack of scarlet fever he was detained in hospital at St. Omer for six weeks, and after a further rest at Rouen re-joined his regiment last June. Any information regarding their son would be gratefully received by Mr. and Mrs. Gadd.
On Friday November 26th 1915, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – MOUNTSORREL TERRITORIAL MISSING. Private Lewis James Gadd (2276), C Company, Leicester Regiment, officially reported missing since Oct. 13th, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Gadd, 16, Rothley-road, Mountsorrel. He is 19 years of age, and was last seen in the engagement at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. He joined the 5th Leicester’s soon after the outbreak of war, and went to France last February. Owing to an attack of scarlet fever he was detained in hospital at St. Omer for six weeks, and after a further rest at Rouen re-joined his regiment last June. Any information regarding their son would be gratefully received by Mr. and Mrs. Gadd.
On Saturday, November 27th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – LEICESTERS: FALLEN OR MISSING. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. L. J. GADD, 5th Leicester’s, missing since Oct. 13th. His parents live at 16, Rothley-road, Mountsorrel.
On Friday July 21st 1916, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – MOUNTSORREL SOLDIER DEAD. – Mr. J. Gadd of Rothley-road, Mountsorrel, has received notice that his son, Private Lewis Gadd, Leicestershire Regiment, who had been missing since October 13th, 1915, is dead.