Name
John Jeffrey Newman
1884
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
08/10/1917
33
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
53795
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
148th Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 154 to 159 and 162A.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Bishop's Stortford Town Memorial, United Reformed Church Memorial, Bishop's Stortford, Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Watford Congregational Church Memorial, Watford Printers Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Mary Ann (nee RUMBLE) and the late Thomas NEWMAN; husband of Edith Emily (nee DAY) NEWMAN.
His parents married 1879 in the Reading, Berks, district. Thomas died 1915 aged 71; Mary died 1928 aged 84; both in Bishop’s Stortford, Herts.
John was born (nee RUMBLE) and the late Thomas NEWMAN; husband of Edith Emily (nee DAY) NEWMAN.
His parents married 1879 in the Reading, Berks, district. Thomas died 1915 aged 71; Mary died 1928 aged 84; both in Bishop’s Stortford, Herts.
John was born in Bishop’s Stortford, in 1884, and married Edith Emily Day in 1908 (born 1888 in Portsmouth, Hampshire), in the Dartford, Kent, district; they had four children, including Mildred Netta (later Pearson). Edith probably never remarried and died 1028 in the Basingstoke, Hants, district aged 39.
On the 1891 Census, a scholar aged 7 he lived in Bishop’s Stortford, with his parents and no siblings. On the 1901 Census, a printer’s apprentice aged 17, he still lived in Bishop’s Stortford, with his parents and no siblings. On the 1911 Census, a linotype operator at printing works aged 27, he lived in Watford, with his wife and one child - Mildred Netta Newman (b 1909). Another daughter, Daughter: Edith Mary (b 1914, in Watford)
He attested 20 November 1915 in Watford, and was mobilised 2 June 1916: a linotype operator at the Watford Observer, aged 31 years and 8 months, 5’8½” tall, C of E. His address at that time was 52 Chester Road, Watford.
His father, Thomas, died 1915 aged 71 and his mother, Mary, in 1928 aged 84; both in Bishop’s Stortford, Herts.
John and Edith had another daughter, Margaret Ethel in January 1917 in Brighton Sussex, and very sadly after John's death.
Wartime Service
He was formerly Private 29777 Bedfordshire Regiment and he was on 'Home' service and training from 20 November 1915 to 2 December 1916 and training. He was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 1 September 1916 as 53795. He was in the Military Hospital, Grantham, Lincs, from 19 September to 21 October 1916 suffering from scabies, then embarked from Folkestone 2 December 1916, landing in France (Boulogne) the following day.
He was posted to the 138th Company, Machine Gun Corp on 1 January 1917 and joined them in the Field two days later. He was admitted to Field Ambulance, sick, on 21 May 1917. His was diagnosed with impetigo the following day. The date that he re-joined his Company was not recorded, but he was admitted to 58 Casualty Clearing Station 7 June 1917 suffering multiple gun shot wounds. He was treated, but moved to No. 25 General Hospital with 'Boils' on the June 10th. He recovered and was returned to Base Depot on 26 June 1917 and joined 148th Company, Machine Gun Corps in the Field on 28 July 1917.
He was killed in action on 8 October 1917 and he had multiple gunshot wounds. He arrived at the clearing station in Lillers, possibly he was dead on arrival and then subsequently buried somewhere nearby.
When he died he was recorded as in the 148th Company, Machin Gun Corps.
The Battle of Poelcappelle was fought in Flanders, Belgium, on 9 October 1917 by the British Second Army and Fifth Army against the German 4th Army, during the First World War.
46, 147 and 148 Companies.
Formed 26 January – 6 February 1916 by transfer of MG Sections from battalions of the three infantry brigades of 49th (West Riding) Division. Merged into 49 Battalion MGC 1 March 1918
Additional Information
At some point his wife lived at 52 Chester Road, Watford. But the military were notified that his widow moved from 3 Alberta Terrace, Warwick Road, Bishops Stortford to 27 Adams Road, St Mary's Road, Kingston, Portsmouth Hamps. on 15 December 1917, possibly to be near her parents. Then, temporarily, to 37 Derby Road, North End, Portsmouth (notification dated 2 February 1919).
She was awarded a pension of 29s 7d per week from 13 May 1918.
After his death £2 7s 3d was authorised to go to his widow on 9 March 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £5 10s was authorised to be paid to her, on 29 November 1919.re is an article about John in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 10 November 1917.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk), Pete J Pearson
