1937 - 1941 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother – Catherine Lewis

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At the National War Memorial unveiling ceremony, National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother Catherine Lewis, is lost in the memories of her two sons who were killed in the war.
(Photo: Library and Archives Canada PA-211007)

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Mrs. Catherine Lewis was the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother from 1937 to 1941. For these five years, she represented all mothers who lost a child in military service to Canada. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony each year, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on their behalf.

On November 27, 1915, her son, Henry Bartle Lewis, was killed in Belgium while serving with the Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment).

On November 18, 1916, a second son, Private Charles Walter Lewis, was killed in France while serving with the Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment).

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National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother Catherine Lewis.
(Photo courtesy of Mrs. Lewis’ family)

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When the Secretary of State wrote Mrs. Lewis asking her to represent the mothers at the unveiling, she replied that she would rather not. Later the Prime Minister sent back word to her that he would have nobody else, so she could not refuse. Four of her sons served in the First World War. Jack was in the artillery and Stephen served with the mule transport in Montreal. They all went overseas in the first contingent.

Mrs. Lewis was born in Dublin, Ireland and came to Canada in 1853 when she was 18. She died at the age of 91.

List of National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mothers

(Information courtesy of the Royal Canadian Legion, Canadian War Museum and families of the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mothers)