Name
Edward (Teddy) Newton
Circa 1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/06/1917
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
723491
London Regiment *1
24th (County of London) Bn.
'D' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY
IV. B. 50.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Stained Glass Window, Hitchin Boys Grammar School, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Son of Mrs. Emily Florence Newton, later of 135, Stockwell Park Rd., London.
Teddy was born around 1893 in Lambeth and later was a pupil at Hitchin Grammar School, but the dates of attendance are not known but it must have been before 1904 and was probably only for a short period. He was a genial person and a consistent supporter of the Old Boys Club.
His schooling appears to be his only connection with Hitchin and Hertfordshire.
He enlisted into the 2/5th Battalion of the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) on 12 November 1915. He was 22 years and 5 months old, living at 135 Stockwell Park Rd., London, SW and working as a clerk. He was medically examined on 14 January 1916 and was described, despite his previous age recorded, as 22 years and 5 days, 5’ 9 ¼”, 147 lbs, a 40” expanded chest
Officially Edward was recorded as born in Lambeth and was living in Brixton when he enlisted in Lambeth.
Wartime Service
Apart from the 12 November 1915 when it was listed that 1 day counted towards his service he was not mobilised until 31 March 1916 and was in training on Home service to 30 August 1916 and then in France from 31 August. During which time he was posted to the 2/5th Battalion of the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) as Private 3296 (12 April) and was in the 24th Reserve Londons on 28 August 1916 transferred to the 24th (County of London) Battalion ‘The Queen' s’ on 31 August 1916 with the Regimental Number 6971. This number was later changed to 723491, probably in early in 1917 when 6 digit number were issued to replace the 4 digits one allocated earlier.
Having disembarked at Le Havre he joined his unit in the Field on 20 September 1916.
He was admitted 40 47 DRS on 14 November 1916 with myalgia - a medical term that means muscle pain or aches, and from there was admitted to 8 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux.
By the 8 December he was at the Base Depot at Le Havre, rejoining his unit, probably in January 1917.
He received a gun shot wound to his neck on 7 June 1917, he was taken to the 2/1 Wessex Field Ambulance then the 12 Casualty Clearing Station, then to 13 General Hospital, Boulogne, when he died of his wounds on 9 June 1917
He was buried in Plot 4, Row B, Grave 50 in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais in France. A private inscription on the stone reads "In loving memory of my beloved son age 24. Mother". Unusually, all the stones in this cemetery are laid flat.
Additional Information
His mother was sent his person possessions on 28 December 1917, they included his identity disc, letter, photos, 2 watches (broken), mirror and wallet.
After his death 19s 6d pay owing was authorised to go to his mother, Emily Florence Newton, on 19 December 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £4 10s was authorised to be paid to her on 29 October 1919.
His pension cards record his mother, as his next of dependant, living at 135 Stockwell Parl Road London SW9. She was awarded a pension of 15s a week from 1 January 1918. The address was later update to 134 Wellesley Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.
On 16 June 1919 his mother submitted the form listing his parents and relatives. His father and brother were recorded as died.
His Death plaque and scroll were sent to his mother in June 1919.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London) Bn. London Regiment (The Queens's).
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
