Lewis was born on 28 May 1911 at 36 Melrose Place, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland to Lithuania born parents, Wolff (William), a furniture dealer, and Esther nee Bloch. Lewis had six siblings, Harry, Morris, Minnie, Rebecca, Hyman and Leslie. Their father William, a general dealer, died in 1935.

Lewis enlisted into the Royal Scots and was fighting in Italy when he was killed. Records state that he died of his wounds.