09/22/2026
Many will know by now that the Aberdeen Engineers RFC were founded in 1928 (later becoming Aberdeen Wanderers in 1934) by the engineering shipyards Hall Russell and John Lewis but prepare to be very impressed by some of the clubs founding members from the Lewis Family.
One of the founding members was Sir Andrew Jopp Williams Lewis who was also a Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1925-1929.
He was born in Cove on the 18th April 1875 and was the son of John Lewis, a wooden boat builder. He attended Aberdeen Grammar School. He took over the John Lewis company in 1907 from his father.
He was knighted by King George V for his political and fund raising efforts for the new Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and maternity ward of which £410,000 was raised. Working with Aberdeen University this was part of the "Joint Hospitals Scheme"
Sir Andrew was the club's first Honorary President which was a figurehead role with a main president serving for the day to day running.
He would have been instrumental in the setting up of the club and obtaining the land at Hazlehead in 1928 for the club to play its matches which it still does today.
As part of the club's research we have found his painted portrait in storage in the special archives and his photo in the town house along with his name on the board in there.
He died in 1952 and is buried in Allenvale cementery in Aberdeen, As part of the research we visited this too.
When he was Lord Provost he lived at 11 Queens Road which is now the Sportman's Club.
His sons John (Jack) Andrew Lewis and Andrew Holmes Spencer Lewis MBE both became the main club presidents.
Jack was president from 1932 to 1935 and Andrew was president from 1947 to 1952. Andrew was awarded an MBE in 1946.
In 1972 the Lewis family business was taken over by Sir Ian Wood
of Woodgroup in his early years before becoming one of Aberdeen's most successful businessmen in the oil industry.
Jack died in 1986 and Andrew died in 1993. They are both buried in the same grave as their father and grandparents.
So next time you're watching Wanderers at Groats Road, having a drink in the Sportsman's Club or going to hospital remember the Lewis family who helped shape the club but also the city itself.
