John Beech Posted 31 May , 2015 Share Posted 31 May , 2015 Afternoon All The above soldier served with 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action at Bellewaarde Ridge on 16th June 1915. He is recorded on Soldiers Died as being born and enlisting in Newcastle upon Tyne. His MIC shows he entered theatre on 10th January 1915 and that he was killed in action. This is also the case with his Medal Roll entries, and confirmed by his entry on SDGW. However, I cannot find a trace of him on the CWGC at all. I have searched through all known Newton fatalities, those killed on 16th June and those recorded on the Menin Gate, where the majority of those killed on this day are recorded. His Register of Soldiers Effects shows his death on this date and his beneficiary as a Mrs Mary Storey The 1911 Census only shows three John Newton born in Newcastle with no middle initial: John Newton a 38 year old labourer John Newton, 47, a drapery shop porter, born in Newcastle but living in Bristol John Newton 7 Many of the men who served with 1st Battalion in late 1914 / early 1915 were recalled reservists, so older men frequently occur, but discounting a 47 year old, I am left with a 38 year old labourer who would be around 43 in 1915. There are many John Newton born in the surrounding Newcastle area, so any suggestions as to how I progress this would be appreciated. I have raised this with the CWGC but am awaiting a response. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 31 May , 2015 Share Posted 31 May , 2015 What notation is given against Mrs Mary Storey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 31 May , 2015 Author Share Posted 31 May , 2015 Hi John boy It just says legate Mrs Mary Storey with no indication of relationship. I am familiar with them saying widow, mother etc but not legate Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Scalyback Posted 31 May , 2015 Share Posted 31 May , 2015 Newton is named on a very long casualty list attached to the battalion war diary as published on http://www.bellewaarde1915.co.uk/ Appendix: XXXIV Casualties at HOOGE YPRES 1395 L/Cpl Fairburn H Y S. Wd. to duty 16/06/1915 8769 * Hill R Y Killed 16/06/1915 8160 * Bell H Y Wounded 16/06/1915 7979 Pte Gormely J Y Wounded 16/06/1915 3558 * King J Y S. Wd. to duty 16/06/1915 4847 * Newton J Y Killed 16/06/1915 8117 * Payne A Y Wounded 16/06/1915 8256 * Pyke C Y Wounded 16/06/1915 3811 * Dedman R Y Killed 16/06/1915 8010 * Burnside J Y Wounded 16/06/1915 9924 * Connor J Y Wounded 16/06/1915 8159 * Crombie E Y Wounded 16/06/1915 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 31 May , 2015 Author Share Posted 31 May , 2015 Hi A relative has checked the Register of Overseas Deaths which confirms his death but intriguingly lists it as 1916 ! Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 31 May , 2015 Share Posted 31 May , 2015 but intriguingly lists it as 1916 ! Presumably just a simple clerical error. May I ask what information you've already raised with CWGC? Enough for them to be able to establish the correct date of death? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk Posted 31 May , 2015 Share Posted 31 May , 2015 Hi John, Soldiers Wills https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?Surname=newton&SurnameGrants=newton&YearOfDeath=1915&YearOfDeathGrants=1915&RegimentNumber=4847&AdvancedSearch=True&IsGrantSearch=False&IsCalendarSearch=False#soldiers also shows 16th June 1915. I guess that the actual Will might show who Mary Storey was. Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 31 May , 2015 Share Posted 31 May , 2015 Just to advise that the In From the Cold Project already has in hand a commemoration submission to CWGC. We'll have "found" him when we cross-checked SDGW and the GRO deaths listings against CWGC. We can now offer CWGC and the National Army Museum the further information raised here including the Effects Register, war diary entry and the will probate. It all should serve to confirm correct date of death which may have been an issue delaying commemoration. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 1 June , 2015 Author Share Posted 1 June , 2015 Morning John I have only passed the CWGC the information included in my original post. To be honest this is the first time in my research I have come across a possible non commemoration, so happy to leave it to the experts! I see your connection with the In From The Cold Project and I did pass on the information to the website as well Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 1 June , 2015 Share Posted 1 June , 2015 John I'll try and remember to keep you posted, as & when I hear anything. But apologies in advance if time passes and I forget. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 1 June , 2015 Author Share Posted 1 June , 2015 John Many thanks I would be interested in the outcome, especially as Bellewaarde is of particular interest to me. In fact I will be there on the 100th Anniversary on 16th June Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 1 June , 2015 Share Posted 1 June , 2015 John As you know now from Terry's email to you, we hadnt submitted his name when we found it in 2009 due to the discrepancy over date of death. All now sorted and the submission has gone in. It's prompted us to have a look at all our other cases that were on the back burner to see if we can make any progress. As such, our thanks to you for nudging us along. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 2 June , 2015 Author Share Posted 2 June , 2015 Hi John Happy to help in a very very small way. John Newton died 100 years ago this month and it is gratifying to know that people still care enough to make sure his sacrifice is remembered. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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