Francis Herbert Newman

Name

Francis Herbert Newman

Conflict

First World War

Date of Death / Age

10/12/1917
34

Rank, Service Number & Service Details

Private
25120
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
transf. to (93913) 157th Coy. Labour Corps
12th Labour Company,

Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards

Not Yet Researched

Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country

NEUVILLE-BOURJONVAL BRITISH CEMETERY
Row C. Grave 12
France

Headstone Inscription

We Loved Thee Well But Jesus Loved Thee Best

UK & Other Memorials

St Mary the Virgin Village Memorial, Furneux Pelham, Not on the Buntingford memorials

Pre War

Francis was born to George and Ellen in 1883 in Furneux Pelham, Hertfordshire. In the 1891 census the family are shown as living in the Causeway, Furneux Pelham.

It appears the family remained in that property as Francis’s personal belongings were returned to his father at that address after the war. 

He enlisted at Hertford on 21 February 1916. At the time of his attestation he gave his address as The Causeway, Furneux Pelham, Hertfordshire. His occupation was painter. Medical records show that he had a Hammer Toe on both feet, 7 decayed teeth and varicose veins in his right leg. Not ideal for a fighting soldier but fairly typical for an older man who had been conscripted into the Army. 

Wartime Service

Originally in the 12th Labour Coy Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

Francis was posted to France on the 7th May 1916 as part of the 12th(Labour) Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, which, in May 1917, became 157th Company, Labours Corps. 

Acknowledgments

Kate Thompson
Paul Johnson