| Lewis | Bridges George | | Major | LEWIS, BRIDGES GEORGE, Major, was born 3 March, 1857, son of the Reverend G B Lewis. He was educated at Uppingham and Sandhurst, and was gazetted to the 30th Foot 27 March 1878, becoming Lieutenant, East Lancashire Regiment, 31 July 1879. He was Instructor of Musketry, East Lancashire Regiment, 6 April 1881 to 1 November 1889; Captain 18 March 1885; Adjutant, 2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, 1 April 1888 to 31 March, 1892; Adjutant, Militia, 18 February 1893 to 17 February 1898; Major 14 March 1895. He served in the South African War, 1900-01; operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including actions at Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May 1900, including actions near Johannesburg; operations in the Transvaal to 29 November 1900; operations in Cape Colony, February 1900; operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to July 1901, and August to October 1901; operations in Orange River Colony, July to August 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901, received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Bridges George Lewis, Major, East Lancashire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent to South Africa, and he was invested by the Commander-in-Chief 30 December 1901. He became Lieutenant Colonel 23 September 1901; was given the Brevet of Colonel 23 September 1904; commanded the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment; became Colonel 25 February 1907; retired 23 March 1910. Colonel Lewis served in the European War, 1914-18, as Temporary Brigadier General, commanding 56th Infantry Brigade, 2nd New Army, from September 1914. He was given the honorary rank of Brigadier General 13 November 1917, and was created a CB, 1918. He was a JP, County Carlow. Brigadier General Bridges married (1st), in 1879, Mary (who died in 1917), daughter of the Reverend Canon Burn-Murdoch; and they had one son and one daughter. He married (secondly), Laura Montgomery, daughter of the Reverend W Glean, and they had one son.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | East Lancashire Regiment |
