GUARDSMAN GEORGE ALBERT LEWIS
WELSH GUARDS
22ND MARCH 1916 AGE 24
BURIED: BRANDHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, FRANCE
Belgian resistance to the German invaders came not only from the army but from civilians too. This encouraged the Germans to introduce a policy of 'schrecklichkeit', frightfulness. The newspapers made the most of these atrocity stories, as did recruiting posters - not that all the reported atrocities were propaganda.
Private Lewis was one of those motivated to enlist by what became known as the 'Rape of Belgium'. Interestingly, Private Lewis's parents made a point of mentioning in the Cemetery Register that he had been, "Rejected as 'unfit'. Underwent operation in Llanelly Hospital to render himself 'fit'."