L/Cpl
Frank Newton
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1894 |
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Place of birth: Hertford, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: 45 Fore Street, Hertford, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Shop Assistant |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Lance Corporal |
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Service number: 265186 |
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Units: — Hertfordshire Regiment, 1st Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 31/07/1917 |
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Place of death: Schüler Farm - Artilleriegehoft, Langemark, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 23 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XI Row: A Grave: 19 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Frank Newton was born in Hertford in 1894, the son of Henry and Elizabeth Newton. During World War I, he joined the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. Frank had been at the front since Nov. 6, 1914, making him one of The Old Contemptibles, an unofficial title worn by members of The British Expeditionary Force who saw action before Nov. 22, 1914. Many of them were professional soldiers or reservists. Frank's battalion saw action on July 31 in the Battle of Pilkim, a battle that took place on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele. The battalion suffered heavy losses.
Around four in the morning, Arthur and his comrades advanced toward Langemark, which was the target of the attack. The attack went according to plan until they crossed the Steenbeek River toward Langemark. Slachotffers were made by machine gun fire and snipers. Saint Julian was completely taken but partly due to barbed wire fences, did not succeed in advancing any further. Due to a German counterattack on the left flank, the battalion had to fall back. The casualty figures were enormous. 459 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing. The survivors dug in on the west side of the Steenbeek. Frank Newton was killed near Schüler Farm. He currently rests in Tyne Cot Cemetery.
Around four in the morning, Arthur and his comrades advanced toward Langemark, which was the target of the attack. The attack went according to plan until they crossed the Steenbeek River toward Langemark. Slachotffers were made by machine gun fire and snipers. Saint Julian was completely taken but partly due to barbed wire fences, did not succeed in advancing any further. Due to a German counterattack on the left flank, the battalion had to fall back. The casualty figures were enormous. 459 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing. The survivors dug in on the west side of the Steenbeek. Frank Newton was killed near Schüler Farm. He currently rests in Tyne Cot Cemetery.
Sources 6
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112 Infantry Brigade (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), British Army war diaries 1914-1922, WO 95/2590/2. http://nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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1901 England Census (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG13). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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1911 England Census (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). http://nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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England & Wales, Birth Index, 1837-1915, General Register Office. https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/ Sources used |
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Medal Card Frank Newton (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), Service Medal and Award Rolls Index, First World War, WO 372/14/212114). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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National Army Museum; Chelsea, London, England; Soldiers' Effects Records, 1901-60 (NAM) 1991-02-333. https://www.nam.ac.uk/ Sources used |
More information 3
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/464098 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=1f595688-98ee-45ee-8430-9d775dc44b9d |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3231427 |