249757 Robert Lewis British Army 12th (Rangers) Btn. London Regiment My grandfather was born Boris Pokotilow on the 7th of January 1898 in Kiev, Ukraine. His mother died in 1900 giving birth to his younger sister Ruth and his father was murdered by Russians in 1906. He was put up for adoption by the Jewish Board of Deputies and brought to England with one of his sisters (Diana Pokotilow) in 1906. His young sister Ruth went to Denmark. My grandfather Boris was adopted by Harry Wilson but the Jewish Board governors took my grandfather from him (as Mr Wilson had became an atheist and married a Christian). The Rev Lewis of Tamby Hall, Whitechapel had been appointed his guardian. But as he was not married they placed him in the care of the Cowen family.
In 1914 my grandfather was 16 yrs old but when the Cowen brother joined up my grandfather changed his name to Robert Lewis and lied about his age so he could join up with them. Robert Lewis age 18 in 1914 joined The 12th London Rangers an infantry Regiment. He became a corporal. Mills bomer: wounded twice first-time beneath the chest. The second time in 1917 seriously wounded by exploding in the shell. I'm so intrigued to find out what battles his regiment was in to learn the horrors he had to live through to make better world for all of us. He was sent home for hospital treatment and during his convalescence he was allowed to visit his sister Diana. The Cohens had moved to Becon in Wales and opened a jewellery shop. I like to think what a lovely moment this must have been for them. What an award for a hero! I hope they stayed in touch.
In 1919 he was discharged from the Army. He returned to Rev Lewis who arranged with the Board of Guardians that Robert Lewis now be trained as an engineer at Cadby Hall by J.Lyons.
He met my grandmother in 1920 at a dance. They married and had four children, two boys and two girls and lots of us grandchildren and even more great grandchildren. He died in 1957. Sadly for me I never got to know him in person as I was born in 1965.
Did you know that Boris means fight or fighter and he certainly was.
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