The importance of Ernest

Aged 32 and married, in 1942 Ernest Frederick Lewis from Wandsworth, London, and a humble plumber by trade volunteered to fight in the RAF. Within a year he was a flight engineer of a four-engined Halifax bomber.

On the night of 12/13 June 1944 he flew on his last mission, which took him over northern France. For over 60 years his story had always remained a mystery in family circles.

This account, which attempts to tell Ernie’s story within the wider context of the Allied bomber war, is by no means an absolute representation of the facts: a degree of informed guesswork has been inevitable due, quite simply, to the lack of documentary evidence.

Please note that this is an amateur effort and I have not referenced the work; however, I have endeavoured to verify, check and double check all that I have written. It's quite long so you might want to pour yourself a glass of vino for this!

A detailed bibliography has also been included.

This article is dedicated to Billie.

ONE OF THE MANY

His sweetheart

Billie was Ernie's wife; she never knew the details of his death until I presented her with my findings. I was also able to send Billie the sweetheart pin that Ernie bought her but was unable to send. He died before he had the opportunity. Billie sadly passed away quite recently. Here she is below looking very fashionable in the 1940s.