Name
Joseph Newton (Junior)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
489796
Labour Corps
396th Agricultural Companies
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Joseph Newton was born on 15th November 1897 at Abbots Langley. He was the first son of Joseph (senior) and Annie Newton. At the time the family lived close to Leverstock Green and Joseph was christened at the church in that village. The couple had a further seven children between 1900 and 1915. At the time of the 1901 Census the family lived at Bennetts End, Hemel Hempstead, where Joseph (senior) worked as a General Labourer. By 1904 they had moved back to Abbots Langley.
Joseph (junior) attested at Watford on 2nd September 1914 and was posted to the 4th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. At that time he gave his trade as a Farmer, and his occupation as a worker at an Outfall Works in Abbots Langley. He also gave his age as 19 years 10 months, when his actual age was just under 17 years. Joseph joined at Bedford on 4th September and on the 11th September was posted to the 10th Bedford’s. On 18th September he was appointed the rank of Lance Corporal.
He was first recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in October 1914.
On 17th August 1915 Joseph embarked at Folkestone and arrived in France the same day. It was not long before he was wounded and on 3rd September was admitted to the 55th Field Ambulance, and the next day to 18th General Hospital. He recovered from his wounds and on 28th October 1915 reverted to the rank of Private at his own request.
Joseph’s Service Record contains a letter from his sister Lily enquiring about her brother –
“Could you give me any news of my brother, Private J Newton, No 14248, B Company, 7th Bedfordshire Regiment, BEF. No news has been received from him for 6 weeks and any information concerning him will oblige” L.Newton, 103 Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park
It is not known if Lily received a reply, however on 16th March 1917, then serving with the 7th Bedfordshire’s Joseph was once again appointed the rank Lance Corporal. On 11th June 1917 he was wounded and admitted to a Field Ambulance and then transferred to a Casualty Clearing Station. Two days later he was admitted to hospital, and on 14th June was sent to a Hospital Ship, and arrived back in England on 16th June. He received treatment and was posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment at Landguard, near Harwich on 10th October 1917.
On 29th November 1917 Joseph was transferred to 656th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps, and later posted to the 398th Agricultural Company on 23rd February 1918. He was listed in the Absent Voter Records in Autumn 1918 and Spring 1919, serving as a Lance Corporal with 396th (sic) Agricultural Company, and living at Tanners Wood, Abbots Langley. He was discharged on 4th March 1919, and demobilised on 4th May 1919.
Joseph Newton (junior) survived the War, as did his father Joseph Newton (senior).
Additional Information
Formerly 3rd, 4th, 7th & 10th Battalions Bedfordshire Regiment & 656th Agricultural Companies Labour Corps.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
