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Alfred Charles Newman

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Alfred Charles Newman
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Personal Information
Date of Birth c1884
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 ; 113 lbs
51.256 kg
; 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 Honour Roll
Menin Gate Memorial
ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford)
Australian War Memorial
Medals British War Medal
Victory Medal



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 9 Nov 1916 he embarked on HMAT A8 Argyllshire in Fremantle for England, where he disembarked on 10 Jan 1917.

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 aboard HMT Invicta. In France he was re-allocated 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 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.

  • Menin Gate photo 2015 Linton Reynolds
  • Section of 32nd Battalion panels

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)


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