LEWIS COOPER SAWYER
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 7th December 1893, at Henley, Suffolk.
Baptised: 4th March 1894, at All Saints Church, Ashbocking, Suffolk – family at Henley.
Died: 1st November 1919; age 26; died from disease – Cellulitis of the neck, at the Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham.
Enlistment Details: Location: Chatham; Occupation: Farm Labourer; Religion: Wesleyan. Next of Kin: sister – Mrs. Alice Maud Robinson. Signed up for 12 years on the 7th December 1911. Height on joining: 5ft 4 1/2 ins, height at 18 years: 5ft 5 1/2ins, fresh complexion, grey eyes & dark brown hair.
Service:
Ganges – Boy II – May 1910
Ganges – Boy I – 20th December 1910 – 20th January 1911
Berwick – Boy I – 21st January 1911 – 15th February 1911
Illustious – Boy I – 16th February 1911 – 17th March 1911
Berwick – Boy I – 18th March 1911 – 15th May 1911
Pembroke I – Boy I – 16th May 1911 – 29th May 1911
Black Prince – Boy I – 30th May 1911
Black Prince – Ordinary Seaman – 7th December 1911 – 22nd April 1912
Pembroke I – Ordinary Seaman – 23rd April 1912 – 24th May 1912
Halcyon – Ordinary Seaman – 25th May 1912
Halcyon – Able Seaman – 10th December 1912 – 11th March 1913
Victory – Able Seaman – 12th March 1913 – 28th April 1913
Halcyon – Able Seaman – 29th April 1913 – 4th July 1913
Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 5th July 1913 – 17th November 1913
Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 21st November 1913 – 4th May 1914
King Edward – Able Seaman – 5th May 1914 – 6th January 1916
Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 7th January 1916 – 24th March 1916
Vivid I – Able Seaman – 25th March 1916 – 30th April 1916
Royal Oak – Able Seaman – 1st May 1916 – 11th February 1918
Diligence – Able Seaman – 12th February – 30th June 1918
Woolwich – Able Seaman – 1st July 1918 – 31st January 1919
Hecla – Able Seaman – 1st February 1919 – 28th February 1919
Prince George – Able Seaman – 1st March 1919 – 1st April 1919
Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 2nd April 1919 – 1st November 1919.
Lewis was at the Battle of Jutland serving on the Royal Oak.
Rank: Able Seaman; Service Number: J/8399(ch)
Regiment: H.M.S. ‘Pembroke’ Royal Navy.
Grave Reference:
X.19.28.
Ipswich Old Cemetery,
Ipswich.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of the late James & Julia Sawyer; sister – Mrs. Alice Maud Robinson, of 63, Surbiton Road, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1901 46, Waveney Road, Ipswich.
Lewis was 7 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
James Sawyer, 37, a Blacksmith’s Labourer, born Yoxford, Suffolk.
Julia Sawyer (nee Cooper), 39, born Iken, Suffolk.
Edward John Sawyer, 12, born Ipswich.
Ethel May Sawyer, 10, born Ipswich.
Henry Sawyer, 8, born Hemingstone, Suffolk.
Florence Louisa Sawyer, 5, born Ipswich.
James Sawyer, 4 months, born Ipswich.
1911 Gibraltar
Lewis was 17 years old, a Boy 1st Class for the Royal Navy. He was 1 of 197 boys on board ‘Berwick,’ a First Class Armoured Cruiser, Fourth Cruiser Squadron. Captain – Hugh T. Hibbert.
Lewis’s mother, Julia Sawyer, died on the 29th April 1909, St. Matthew’s, Ipswich and was buried on the 5th May at Section X, Ipswich Old Cemetery.
Lewis’s father, James Sawyer, died on the 5th March 1919 in Ipswich and was buried at Section X, Ipswich Old Cemetery.
Lewis’s eldest sister, Alice Maud Sawyer, married Oliver Robinson in 1909, Ipswich and had four children. Alice and Oliver also welcomed brother James Sawyer, aunts and family friends into their home.
Lewis is also remembered on the war memorial at Springfield School, Ipswich.
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