Gwilym Hugh Lewis facts for kids

Wing Commander Gwilym Hugh Lewis DFC (born August 5, 1897 – died December 18, 1996) was a brave British pilot during World War I. He was known as a flying ace, which means he shot down at least five enemy aircraft. Gwilym Lewis achieved 12 confirmed victories in the air.

After the war, he had a very successful career working as an insurance broker. He lived a long life, passing away just eight months before his 100th birthday. He was one of the last surviving British flying aces from World War I. Gwilym Lewis had many famous friends, including Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the writer Noël Coward, and other flying aces like Stan Dallas, Mick Mannock, and George McElroy.

Early Life and Joining the War

Gwilym Hugh Lewis was born in Moseley, Birmingham, England, in 1897. He went to school at Marlborough College. When World War I began, he volunteered to join the Northamptonshire Regiment in 1915.

He became a second lieutenant on September 10, 1915. At first, he wanted to join the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), which was the air force at the time, but they didn't have any spots open. So, Gwilym's father gave him £100 to pay for private flying lessons. He learned to fly at Hendon and earned his pilot's certificate in November 1915. After that, the RFC accepted him.

Flying in World War I

In March 1916, Gwilym Lewis joined the Royal West Kent Regiment. Soon after, in April 1916, he became a flying officer. He was one of the first members of No. 32 Squadron RFC.

When his squadron moved to France in May 1916, Gwilym flew an Airco DH.2 plane across the English Channel. He had only flown solo for about four and a half hours by then! On July 15, he helped destroy an enemy Fokker Eindekker plane, which was his first aerial victory. Two months later, on September 22, he destroyed a Roland C.II plane by himself.

In August 1917, Gwilym Lewis became a flight commander with the rank of captain. He didn't score any more victories until late 1917. He then joined 40 Squadron to train as a flight commander on Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5 planes. On December 19, 1917, he forced an Albatros D.III plane to crash out of control. He did it again a month later, on January 19, 1918.

Over the next six months, he scored nine more times. One of his victories was shared with his squadron leader, Major Stan Dallas. Gwilym Lewis ended up destroying five German planes and forcing six others to crash. He even captured an LVG reconnaissance plane on July 7, 1918, which was his final victory. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross award in July for his bravery.

Gwilym Lewis was friends with many famous aces. Mick Mannock gave Gwilym, who was usually quiet, the nickname "Noisy." On Gwilym's last day in France, Mannock warned another top pilot, George McElroy, not to follow enemy planes too close to the ground. Sadly, six days later, Mannock lost his life when he followed a falling German plane too close. McElroy also died five days after that. Gwilym had also lost his older brother in an air battle earlier. Gwilym Lewis returned to England to teach other pilots for the rest of the war. He left the RAF on January 21, 1919.

Life After World War I

After the war, Gwilym Lewis shared a house with some of his friends, including Noël Coward. Coward even read his first play, The Rat Trap, to them. Gwilym started his career in insurance with a company called Sedgwick and Collins, which worked with Lloyd's of London.

In 1919 and 1920, even though he had stopped flying, Gwilym started writing about how to make aviation safer. He also wrote a book about his war experiences called Wings Over the Somme 1916–1918.

In 1923, Gwilym traveled to the United States to study business there. When he came back, he suggested that Lloyd's should create an American Non-Marine Department. This idea caused some disagreements with his coworkers. By 1925, Gwilym was also working as a business liquidator, which means he helped close down companies.

On July 9, 1925, he married Christian Robertson. Their marriage lasted 68 years, and they had two daughters and two sons. Gwilym managed to avoid losing all his money during the Great Depression of 1929. By 1939, he had built the American Non-Marine Department into the biggest part of Sedgwick and Collins.

Serving in World War II

When World War II started, Gwilym Lewis joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on March 7, 1939. He was promoted to flying officer on August 14, just two weeks before the war officially began.

He worked in the Cabinet War Rooms, reporting to and briefing Winston Churchill, who was the Prime Minister. He had to leave his service on September 21, 1944, because of his health. By then, he had reached the rank of wing commander. During this time, he also tried to keep up with his business work at Sedgwick, Collins.

After World War II

Gwilym Lewis left Sedgwick, Collins in 1947. He then worked for another company called Arbon Langrish and later became its chairman. Again, Gwilym traveled overseas to build up American business for his new company.

He continued to be active in the insurance world. In 1965, Gwilym sold Arbon Langrish to a company called Clarkeson. In 1987, he appeared in a documentary called 'The Cavalry of the Clouds', sharing his experiences.

Gwilym Hugh Lewis passed away on December 18, 1996, at the age of 99. He was the oldest member of Lloyd's of London and one of the last two British World War I aces still alive. The other ace, Cecil Lewis, was a year younger and died a month later.

Awards and Recognition

Distinguished Flying Cross

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Gwilym Hugh Lewis (Northamptonshire Regiment).

"This officer's skill and leadership as a flight leader helped destroy many enemy planes with very few losses to his own team. He is brave in attack and has personally accounted for eight enemy aircraft, showing great courage and not caring about his own danger."