See the December edition of Britain at War for Lord Ashcroft’s new bravery article

  • 1 December, 2016
  • Bravery
  • Britain at War
  • Medals

Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.

The December issue of the magazine has a two-page write-up on the life and bravery of Private Hubert William Lewis, who was awarded the VC for outstanding bravery during the Great War.

Lewis, who was born in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, and always known as “Stokey”, joined the 11th (Service) Battalion of The Welsh Regiment, in September 1914 and was dispatched to France a year later.

He was awarded the VC for outstanding bravery on October 22 1915, during a raid on German trenches. Despite being wounded twice, Lewis took part in fierce hand-to-hand fighting, capturing part of an enemy-held trench and carrying a wounded comrade to safety. He collapsed from exhaustion afterwards.

His VC was announced on December 15 1916 when his citation stated: “Private Lewis showed throughout a brilliant example of courage, endurance and devotion to duty.” Lewis died at his home in Milford Haven on February 22 1977, aged 80.

Lord Ashcroft’s articles for Britain at War over the past four years have been largely based on excerpts from four of his books on gallantry: Victoria Cross Heroes, Special Forces Heroes, George Cross Heroes and Heroes of the Skies. His sixth bravery book, Victoria Cross Heroes Volume II, was published on November 8.

For the foreseeable future, Lord Ashcroft’s “hero of the month” articles will concentrate on men who were awarded the VC during the First World War. Lord Ashcroft is a military historian who has lectured extensively on courage and his various medal collections.

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