Name
Walter James Newman
1st September 1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
06/02/1919
33
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
83983
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BUSHEY (ST. JAMES) CHURCHYARD
Old Churchyard, 2.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St James’ Church Memorial, Bushey,
St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey
Pre War
Born on 1 September 1885 in Mile End Old Town, London, Walter James Newman was the eldest son of Walter James (Snr.) and Emma (nee Brooker) Newman. His parents were married on 9 November 1984 at St Thomas, Stepney in Tower Hamlets, London. At the time of the marriage, Walter was employed as a clerk and he and Emma were 23 and 21 years old and living at 55 Silver Street and 85 Courts Street respectively. Walter died on 22 June 1924 in Oxhey, aged 63, and was buried on 11 February at St James’ Church in Bushey.
At the 1891 Census, Walter (Jnr.) and his parents were living with the Brooker family at 45 Avondale Square, St Giles, London. Walter was a scholar, aged 5, and his father was working as a commercial clerk. Their birthplaces are given as Burnham [on Crouch] in Essex for Walter (Snr.), Rotherhithe in London for Emma and Stepney in London for Walter.
At the 1901 Census, the family was living at 196 Rolls Road in Camberwell, London. Also living at the residence are John and Marie Payne. Both John and Walter (Snr.) are working as railway clerks. Walter (Jnr.) is now working as a commercial clerk. He now has a younger brother, 4-year-old George Louis, who was born in Camberwell, London.
By the time of the 1911 Census, the family had moved again to 70 Pinner Road in Oxhey, Watford. Walter is now aged 25 and working as an insurance clerk and his father is still employed as a railway clerk. Also present are the mother, Eliza Ann, and sister, Ellen, of Walter (Snr.). They are 71 and 35 years old respectively and their birthplaces were Burnham on Crouch and Camberwell.
Wartime Service
Walter was called-up and attested in Bedford on 21 March 1917. He was 31 years old and gave his occupation as an insurance clerk, his address as 70 Pinner Road, Oxhey, his religion as Church of England and his next of kin as his father. He was 5’8″ tall, weighed 135 lbs and had a chest girth of 36 inches. His medical history states “from an ophthalmic point of view fit for Bii (two) duties", which meant he was restricted to garrison or labour service and not suitable for front line duties.
He was posted initially as Private 83983 in the Middlesex Regiment before being transferred on 18 May 1917 as Private 152736 in the 594th Company of the Labour Corps and attached to the E C Transfer Centre, Watford, from 7 December 1918. He was admitted to hospital in E.C.T.C. Watford on 1 February 1919 suffering from Influenza and Pneumonia and discharged to home on 6 February 1919, where he died later the same day.
The following is a transcript of an announcement to the Pool of Clerks from the Adjutant, Captain Lucas, to the Eastern Command Transfer Centre: “It is with extreme regret that the commanding officer has to announce the death of No. 152736 Pte. Newman W. J. 504 Employment Company, Crowborough which took place at 70 Pinner Rd. Oxhey, Watford on the 6th instant. Cause:- Pneumonia following Influenza.”
He is remembered with honour and was buried in the churchyard at St James’ Church in Bushey.
The Register of Soldiers’ Effects gives the recipients of his effects as two amounts of £2. 10s. and £2. 4s. to R P Nottingham and of £8. 1s. 5d to his father Walter, which sums included a war gratuity of £7. 15. 0d. His pension record card names his mother Emma, of 70 Pinner Road, as the claimant and awards a pension of 12 shillings a week with effect from 14 February 1919.
Additional Information
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
