Name
Frank Newman (DCM)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/09/1915
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
2224
London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
1st/3rd (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
III. V. 4.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Ware Town Memorial, St Mary’s Church Memorial, Ware, Christchurch Memorial, Ware
Pre War
Born on 4 Oct 1892 in Ware, Hertfordshire, Frank was the elder son of James Edmund and Jane (Foster) Newman later of 60 Huntley Street, Tottenham Court Road, London.
He was educated at St. Mary's School in Ware, as well as Stanhope Street, Regent's Park, and was later working for Mr. Kirby (Manufacturing Chemist) and taking an apprenticeship as a Saw Piercer subsequently.
Wartime Service
Enlisted in the regulars on 31 Aug 1914 at Edward Street, London from the London Territorials (1905-14).
He left for Malta on 2 Sep 1914 and then moved to France in Jan 1915. He was wounded at Neuve Chapelle on 10 Mar 1915, was repatriated to the Duchess of Westminster’s War Hospital and rejoined his regiment on 28 Aug.
He was wounded again on 29 Aug by a shell and died of his wounds in hospital at Merville. Awarded the D.C.M “for conspicuous gallantry at Neuve Chapelle on 10 Mar 1915 during the charge of the 3rd London Regiment on the enemy’s trenches. Although wounded he continued to encourage his men” (London Gazette 3 Jun 1915.).
The CWGC records the date of his death as 2 September 1915, however Cpl. Walter Vine of the 1st Battalion, 3rd London Regiment Royal Fusiliers was there in the next traverse to where the shell dropped and wrote in his diary that it was the 28 August . He was assisting the stretcher-bearers. Walter was later seriously injured and died from his wounds very quickly. To add to the confusion the Battalion war Diary suggests that the bombardment happened after midday and before 4:15pm on the 29 August.
De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour reports:
Lieut. E. Wilcox wrote to his mother, after he was wounded: “It
is with deep regret that I have to inform you that your son, who was my platoon
Sergeant, was wounded during the afternoon of 10 March, whilst serving with his
company in a charge, which was successfully made on the enemy's trenches during
the recent British advance. Sergeant Newman was wonderfully good in the charge,
and was shot while encouraging his men forward. He is a great loss to our
company, but I hope he will soon recover from his wounds.”
And Capt. Angus wrote after his death: ”I regret to say
that your son, Sergt. F Newman, number 2224, who was wounded by a shell on 29
august, has since died in hospital at Merville. We were hopeful of his
recovery, when a relapse set in that proved fatal. I am more sorry than I can
tell. He was a very good fellow and had proved his worth.”
Mrs. Samuel also wrote: “your son was such a favourite
and had done so splendidly that it seems to make your loss doubly hard. My
husband, major Samuel, wished me to tell you how much he sympathises with you,
and how much all the officers feel the loss of your boy. Although he has been
taken from you so young, it is some comfort to know that he will never be
forgotten by the battalion or his friends.” and Mr. H.E. Kirby, his former
employer: “Mrs Kirby and I were very distressed to hear the sad news about
poor frank. We both had a personal affection for him, and regarded him as a
typical English boy of the highest kind. It was always a great pleasure to see
him, and have a chat with him about his work, whatever it might be; he was
always so keen on it... He lived a good life and died a brave death, and leaves
behind the memory of a very dear lad.”
Sergeant Newman was awarded the DCM the official record stating: “For conspicuous gallantry at Neuve Chappelle on 10 March, 1915, during the charge of the third London regiment on the enemies trenches. Although wounded, he continued to encourage his men.” [London Gazette, 3 June, 1915]. While having his wound dressed after the battle of Neuve Chappelle, the lad said to his Colonel (Col. Howel): “They won't call us Saturday night soldiers now, sir.”
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners
Malcolm Lennox, Zack Alexander Vine, Jonty Wild
