LEWIS, Francis Edward

Francis, a married man working as a Farmer at Delungra, enlisted at Inverell in August 1916, giving his age as thirty seven. He was one of several volunteers given an official Farewell at Inverell Town Hall.

As a member of the 33rd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement, he left Australia on HMAT A72, Beltana in November 1916, arriving in England at the end of January 1917. He was sent to France in July and transferred to 3rd Division Traffic Control the following month. At the beginning of 1918 he was transferred back to the 33rd Battalion. On 25 April 1918 he was admitted to hospital after being gassed.

Seven days after Armistice Day he was returned to England and finally arrived back in Australia in February the following year. He was discharged in April and given a ‘Welcome Home’ at Myall Creek. He died in 1962 and was buried at Delungra.

Francis Lewis has his name inscribed on the Delungra Roll of Honor and on the new Memorial Gate at Anzac Park, Delungra.