Auxiliary fireman killed in the bomb attack on Henry Cavendish School, Balham.
Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Auxiliary Fireman John James Lewis was born on 23 January 1908 in Tooting. He was the youngest of the six children of Henry Thomas Lewis (1852-1925) and Elizabeth Lewis née Salway (1906-2000). His father was a Tailor, Coat Maker according to the 1911 census which showed the family living at 10 Alston Road, Lower Tooting.
On 12 January 1929 he married Florence Louisa Stanton at Holy Trinity Church, Upper Tooting, London, SW17. The parish marriage register shows his occupation as a Motor Driver and that of his wife as a Shop Assistant and their homes addresses were both shown as 24 Holdernesse Road, SW17. They had three children, Daniel J. Lewis, born 10 June 1929; Iris Florence Lewis, born 7 May 1931 and James Frank Lewis born 21 June 1933. The 1939 England and Wales Register confirms that they were still living at 24 Holdernesse Road, SW17 and lists his occupation as a Lorry Driver.
He died, aged 32 years, on 6 November 1940 as a result of enemy action at AFS Fire Station 86W, that was located in the Cavendish Road School, Balham. The school was rebuilt after the war following the bomb damage and is now the Henry Cavendish Primary School, Hydethorpe Road, Balham. He is also commemorated in the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour, located just outside the entrance to St George's Chapel at the west end of Westminster Abbey, London and his name appears on the National Firefighters Memorial at the junction of Carter Lane and Sermon Lane, London, EC4.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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