L/Cpl
William Joseph Newsome Best
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 12/12/1888 |
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Place of birth: Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: 27 Sussex Rd, Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, Verenigd Koninkrijk, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Porter |
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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: 17020 |
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Enlistment place: Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Norfolk Regiment, 8th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 11/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Inverness Copse, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 28 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: LX Row: F Grave: 3 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place |
My story
William Joseph Newsome Best, a former porter, was born on the 12th of December 1888 in the Gorleston-On-Sea, Norfolk in The United Kingdom. He was the son of William and Rosa Best and had 6 siblings.
William Joseph Newsome enlisted in Gorleston-On-Sea, Norfolk, The United Kingdom and served as a Lance Corporal in the 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, Part of the 35th Brigade, of the 18th Division.
In the first half of August 1917, the 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, part of the 35th Brigade of the 18th Division, was stationed near Zillebeke in preparation for key operations during the Battle of Passchendaele. On the 1st of August, the battalion moved from Chateau Degard to Cornwall Camp, enduring poor weather conditions. By the 4th, they had relocated to Canal Reserve Camp, where they received orders for an upcoming attack in coordination with the 53rd Infantry Brigade. The Norfolk Regiment would advance on the left flank of the attack, with two companies from the 8th Suffolk Regiment providing defensive support.
On the 10th, the battalion was alerted to move to the Ritz Street area, where they took over the front line from the 54th Infantry Brigade. The relief was complicated by darkness and confusion in the trenches. Despite these challenges, the battalion established itself along the Jargon Trench line by 3 AM on the 11th. The Germans launched a light artillery barrage at 4:15 AM, which quickly escalated into a full attack.
In response, the 8th Norfolk Regiment launched a counterattack at 5:25 AM, aiming to retake a crucial strongpoint. The battalion advanced across 600 yards of open ground under heavy fire, using covering fire from Lewis guns and snipers. By 6 AM, they had recaptured the position and taken nine prisoners. Despite several German counterattacks throughout the day, the battalion held the position and consolidated their line.
On the 12th, the 8th Norfolk Regiment was relieved by the 9th London Regiment, moving back to railway dugouts to rest. Their swift counterattack and ability to hold critical positions under extreme pressure played a vital role in the success of the operation.
William Joseph Newsome, aged 28, was killed in action on the 11th of August 1917. The lance Corporal was initially buried near Inverness Copse, at 28.J.14.c.5.5. His remains were exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot LX, Row F, Grave 3.
William Joseph Newsome enlisted in Gorleston-On-Sea, Norfolk, The United Kingdom and served as a Lance Corporal in the 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, Part of the 35th Brigade, of the 18th Division.
In the first half of August 1917, the 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, part of the 35th Brigade of the 18th Division, was stationed near Zillebeke in preparation for key operations during the Battle of Passchendaele. On the 1st of August, the battalion moved from Chateau Degard to Cornwall Camp, enduring poor weather conditions. By the 4th, they had relocated to Canal Reserve Camp, where they received orders for an upcoming attack in coordination with the 53rd Infantry Brigade. The Norfolk Regiment would advance on the left flank of the attack, with two companies from the 8th Suffolk Regiment providing defensive support.
On the 10th, the battalion was alerted to move to the Ritz Street area, where they took over the front line from the 54th Infantry Brigade. The relief was complicated by darkness and confusion in the trenches. Despite these challenges, the battalion established itself along the Jargon Trench line by 3 AM on the 11th. The Germans launched a light artillery barrage at 4:15 AM, which quickly escalated into a full attack.
In response, the 8th Norfolk Regiment launched a counterattack at 5:25 AM, aiming to retake a crucial strongpoint. The battalion advanced across 600 yards of open ground under heavy fire, using covering fire from Lewis guns and snipers. By 6 AM, they had recaptured the position and taken nine prisoners. Despite several German counterattacks throughout the day, the battalion held the position and consolidated their line.
On the 12th, the 8th Norfolk Regiment was relieved by the 9th London Regiment, moving back to railway dugouts to rest. Their swift counterattack and ability to hold critical positions under extreme pressure played a vital role in the success of the operation.
William Joseph Newsome, aged 28, was killed in action on the 11th of August 1917. The lance Corporal was initially buried near Inverness Copse, at 28.J.14.c.5.5. His remains were exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot LX, Row F, Grave 3.
Sources 11
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461928 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=86618be1-a971-4f01-87b8-e25f0f7cbfca |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/323034 |