1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment
Lewis Robert Meek, also found as Louis Robert, and Louis, was born at Ruardean in 1887, the son of John Meek, a collier, and his wife Sarah Ann.
As Louis Meek he attested for the Herefordshire Regiment, at Ruardean, on 7 April 1908, giving his birthplace and abode as Ruardean, and occupation as a collier at New Pit Co. His age was erroneously stated as 23 years. He declared that he was serving in 1st Herefordshire Volunteer Rifle Corps.
As a Territorial Force soldier he attended the annual camps through to, and including, 1913. He was promoted to Corporal on 23 July 1909.
He was mobilised as Corporal 320 and embodied in 1/1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment on 5 August 1914. Transfers to various units followed: first to the Reserve Battalion of the Herefordshire Regiment on 15 September 1914, and appointed acting Sergeant on 15 December 1914, next to 2/1st Battalion Herefords, and reverted to Corporal, on 29 April 1915, and finally to 48th Provisional Battalion on 19 June 1915 from which posting he was discharged as physically unfit for further service on 28 October 1915 due to sickness. He served a total of seven years and 205 days, Home Service only. He was issued with a Silver War Badge for his services.
He was diagnosed as suffering from Tuberculosis but was, at first, refused a pension on the grounds that he had not been subjected to any harsh conditions of exposure during his war service. This decision was overturned on appeal and it was acknowledged that he had contracted the disease whilst on active service.
In 1909 he had married Celia Winifred Matthews (1885-1962) in Drybrook. The couple lived at The Cross, Drybrook. There were three sons of the marriage, one of whom died in infancy. Celia Winifred Meek remarried in 1919.
Lewis, or Louis, Robert Meek died on 2 September 1917, aged 30 years, and was buried at Ruardean (St John the Baptist) Churchyard.
Researched by Eric Nicholls 19 September 2019