In 2025, we commemorated 130 years since the birth of Warren Hamilton Lewis -affectionately known as “Warnie” – a man whose life intertwined deeply with that of his younger brother, C.S. Lewis. Though often overshadowed by ‘Jack’ (as C.S. Lewis was known to family and friends), Warnie was a remarkable figure in his own right: a soldier, historian, writer, and an indispensable companion to one of the 20th century’s most influential authors.
A Belfast Beginning
Born on 16 June 1895, in Dundela Villas, east Belfast, Warren was the first son of Albert and Flora Lewis. The Lewis household was intellectually vibrant: Flora, a very early mathematics graduate from Queen’s University Belfast, and Albert, a successful solicitor, both fostered a love of reading in their sons. As young children, Warnie and Jack were inseparable, sharing a rich imaginative life that led to the creation of “Boxen,” a fictional world populated by anthropomorphic animals engaged in political intrigue – a testament to their early literary collaboration.
Tragedy struck in 1908 when their mother Flora died of cancer. Their father’s grief and subsequent emotional withdrawal left the brothers to rely heavily on each other, deepening their bond. Both were sent to Wynyard School in England, a brutal environment that further solidified their alliance.
Military Service and Scholarly Pursuits
Warnie’s academic journey led him to Malvern College, from which he was expelled and then, with the help of a private tutor William T Kirkpatrick, to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. Commissioned into the Royal Army Service Corps in 1913, he served with distinction during World War I in northern France, dealing mainly with supplies and transport, later, after the war, being posted to Sierra Leone and Shanghai. He retired in 1932 with the rank of captain but was recalled during World War II, eventually attaining the rank of major.
After his initial retirement, Warnie moved to The Kilns, a house in Oxford purchased jointly by Jack Lewis and Janie Moore. There, he began typing up and editing their father’s family papers, as well as delving into his own passion for 17th-century French history, eventually authoring seven history books about this period, including “The Splendid Century” and “Levantine Adventurer.”
The Inklings and Literary Contributions
Along with his brother, Warnie was a founding member of the Inklings, an informal Oxford literary group that included J.R.R. Tolkien, Owen Barfield and Charles Williams. Known for his hospitality and wit, he sometimes served as the group’s host, facilitating discussions that would influence some of the era’s most significant literary works.
Beyond his own writing, Warnie played a crucial role in Jack’s literary career. As Jack’s secretary, he managed his correspondence, allowing his brother to focus on writing. Warnie’s meticulous diaries, later published, in an edited version, as “Brothers and Friends,” provide invaluable insights into the lives of the Inklings and the Lewis brothers’ relationship.
Personal Struggles and Enduring Faith
Despite his achievements, Warnie faced personal challenges, including a lifelong battle with alcoholism and periods of depression. Nevertheless, he experienced a renewal of his Christian faith in 1931, after the death of his father, around the same time as Jack’s own conversion. Their shared beliefs became a cornerstone of their enduring friendship.
Warnie’s later years were marked by quiet scholarship and companionship at The Kilns, punctuated by drinking binges. Despite his alcoholism, he outlived Jack by nearly a decade, passing away on April 9, 1973. The brothers are buried together in the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church, Headington, Oxford, which I visited a couple of years ago. It was a testament to their lifelong bond.
Legacy
Warren Hamilton Lewis was a man of humility, intellect, and unwavering loyalty. His contributions to literature, history, and his brother’s legacy are significant, offering a richer understanding of the world that shaped C.S. Lewis. In celebrating Warnie’s 130th birthday, we honour not just the brother of a famous author but a remarkable individual whose own story continues to inspire.
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