From this article in the Monmouth Advertiser on 24 May 1918 I wonder if some one could try and work out the soldiers first name, so that I can see if I need to add him to the database

SOLDIER SEWN IN BEDTICK.

At Littledean, Rosina Lewis, a sappers wife of Ruardean, Gloucestershire, was sent to prison for seven days for aiding her husband in being a deserter from the Army. On three occasions, when Lewis had been home on leave from France, he had to be fetched by a military escort. He was due back in France last February, but as he failed to return a visit was made to his house, when his wife assured the police that Lewis was not in the house. A search was made, and the deserter was found sewn up inside the tick of the bed, on which his mother and four children were lying.

? Burial at Westbury on Severn - 17 May 1927 = c 1887

Rosina Alice LEWIS aged 40 years

Memoranda: died at The Union

From Gloucestershire BMD Indexes:

Child Surname: GARDINER
Child Forename: Rosina Alice
Father Surname: GARDINER
Mother Surname: GARDINER
Mother's Former Name: WRIGHT
Year: 1886
District: Stroud
Office: Stroud, Bisley
Register: 16
Entry: 313

Groom Surname: LEWIS
Groom Forename: William E
Bride Surname: GARDINER
Bride Forename: Rosina A
District: Stroud
Parish: Minchinhampton
Building: Holy Trinity
Year: 1911
Register: C23/2
Entry: 316

Gloucestershire BMD Indexes has four children born to this couple between 1911 and 1918. The newspaper reports, in Scotland, Nottingham, Gloucester and Taunton, reporting the incident, mentioned four children.

I have searched the service records on Ancestry for sapper William E Lewis, but, have had no success in finding him.

Paul,

Looks like your findings are correct. The spring 1920 Electoral Register shows a William Edward Lewis and a Rosina Lewis residing at Ruardean Hill.

Their marriage on 15th July 1911 was at Minchinhampton, both aged 25, fathers named as Leonard Lewis and John Gardiner

I wonder if the Nellie Lewis registered Dec 1917 Westbury on Severn 6a 359 is one of their children

1891 Census, Glos. Minchinhampton
Box

LEWIS

Lenard - 32 - Umbrella Stick Worker, born Bisley
Harriet - 34 - born Herefordshire, Vowchurch
William E - 5 - born Minchinhampton
Mabel A B - 2 - born Minchinhampton (Mabel Annie B LEWIS - mother's maiden name SKYRME)

Glosbdm

LEWIS/SKYRME - all Stroud, Minchinhampton

William Edward - 1886
Ellen Bessie - 1887
Mabel Annie B - 1888
Alfred Leonard - 1891
George Henry - 1893

----

1901 Census, Minchinhampton

LEWIS

William - 62 Yardman on Farm, born Bisley
Martha - 54 - born Cheltenham
Leonard - Son - Wdr - 41, Ordinary Agricultural labourer - born Cubberley
Albert - Son - 17 Carter on farm - horse, born Hill Farm, br Chalford
William - Grandson - 14 - Milkman on Farm - born Box, Minchinhampton
Alfred - Grandson - 10 - born ditto

---

On the 1911 Census, at Minchinhampton - Leonard LEWIS has re-married

Leonard - 50 - married 6 years, 2 children born alive, 2 living
Margaret - 35 - born Brains Green, Glos (maiden name POOLE)
Annie B - 9 - born Stroud
Frank - 11 - born Chelford

Hi Dink,
apologies to my late reply to this query, I did try to help-out when you first asked but I had no luck whatsoever, that is except for this one possible clue. I'm afraid it then got misfiled and forgotten about, but your recent helpful access to the BNA site reminded me to dig it out again (altho of course it's likely you may have already seen it) ?

Found while searching the BNA for hints ref "Rosina Lewis", does this entry go onto give the husband's name ?

"BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS ...
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The husband of the late Rosina Lewis, ... "
Saturday 10 July 1937 , Gloucestershire Echo

This search also found a possible daughter, perhaps ?? ( I see the Stroud area seems to fit wrt the earlier posts)

"LONG SERVICE AT STROUD ... to her as the palm of her hand. As a young girl she entered the employment of the firm years ago. The previous week Miss Rosina Lewis, ... "
Saturday 02 March 1946 , Gloucester Citizen

Hope this may help, again sorry so late,

This rather sad report from the Gloucester Citizen 30th July, 1921,

Littledean Petty Sessions

William Edward Lewis and Rosina, his wife, were both sent to gaol for having, on recent dates, so neglected their children as to cause them unnecessary pain and suffering - Mr Justin R??s represented the N.S.P.C.C - Inspector Hemsley and P.C.Crump gave evidence. Last autumn the defendants in a similar case were bound over for a year. The evidence showed that while the children were well nourished, it was neglect by their mother which was the basis of the complaint. £40 worth of new bedding, etc had been ruined through the children's dirty habits. Recently the mother went into the Workhouse, to be confined, and the children went with her, and there they were all made clean and wholesome. The sentences were two months in gaol for each defendant.

Lewis pleaded guilty to a further charge of stealing four cabbages, value 1s, from the Court gardens at Westbury on Severn, the property of Miss Curre, and was fined 20s.

I guess this refers to the couple in question.