Alfred Charles Newman
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known |
| Place of Birth | Rotherhide, London, England |
| Death | 19 Mar 1918 |
| Place of Death | Gapaard near Messines, Belgium |
| Age at Enlistment | 31 years, 10 months |
| Description | 5'2½" (1.59m) tall; weight 113 lbs (51.3kg); fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. |
| Occupation | mill hand |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Address | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother Mrs Annie Newman |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6801 |
| Date of Enlistment | 3 Jul 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Battalion, 22nd reinforcement transferred to 32nd Battalion / 8th Brigade, 5th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 9 Nov 1916 - 10 Jan 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A8 Argyllshire |
| Fate | Killed in Action 19 Mar 1918 at Gapaard near Messines |
| Monument | Jarrahdale |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
Entered camp on 3 Jul 916 and on 28 Jul 1916 he was allocated to the 22nd reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion. This changed to the 22nd draft for the 16th Battalion on 4 Sep 1916.
On arrival in England Alfred was sent to the 4th Training Battalion at Codford. Six weeks later on 28 Feb 1917 he proceeded overseas to France through Folkestone embarked on HMT Invicta. In France he was reallocated to the 32nd Battalion in the 4th Australian Division Base Depot, and taken on strength by them on 4 Apr 1917 in Rose Trench near Grevillers.
Hospitalised in the 8th Australian Field Ambulance with conjunctivitis on 22 Oct 1917, he was passed on to the 5th Division Rest Station. On the 30th he was transferred to the 50th Casualty Clearing Station, before being released to his unit on 7 Nov 1917. In Feb 1918 he was granted furlough in England, rejoining the 32nd Battalion on 28 Feb 1918.
On 19 Mar 1918 the Unit War Diary reports little activity other than some light enemy trench mortar fire. One killed and 2 wounded, with the KIA being Alfred Newman.
Notes
Originally buried behind the Midland Farm, 2 kms west of Messines and 10 kms south of Ypres. It would appear that his body could not later be located and thus he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial (Panel 23)