MILITARY HISTORY

Private William John Newnham – 195694 – Active Service (World War I)

On January 28^th, 1916 William John Newnham completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), in Peterborough, Ontario. He was 28 years, and 8 months old, when as a single man, he enlisted for the duration of the War. William Newnham indicated that he was born in Dummer Township, Peterborough County, Ontario and gave his birth date as May 14^th, 1887. The Attestation Paper does not indicate where he was educated, or to what level. His current address was not listed. He indicated that he had no previous Military experience. As far as his Trade or Calling, he lists ”Farm Labourer”.  Newnham was 5′  5 1/4” tall,  and had a 37” chest (expanded). He had a dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark brown hair.  His medical examination took place in Peterborough, Ontario, on January 29^th, 1916. Except for a scar in the centre of his left cheek, he had no medical issues or physical limitations, and as such he was deemed fit for Overseas duty with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. His next-of-kin was listed as his father, John Newnham of Selwyn, Ontario.  William Newnham signed the Oath and Certificate of Attestation on January 28^th, 1916. The Certificate of Magistrate was signed by the Justice on January 28^th, 1916 also in Peterborough, Ontario. William John Newnham was taken-on-strength as a ”Private” with the 57^th Regiment, CEF and was assigned Regimental Service Number 195694.

The Certificate of Officer Commanding Unit was signed January 28^th, 1916 also in Peterborough, Ontario.

Private Newnham went overseas with the 93^rd Peterborough Battalion, arriving at Liverpool, in England aboard the Empress of Britain on July 25^th, 1916.

He was admitted to the 1^st Western General Hospital on July 25^th, 1916 at Liverpool with ”diphtheria”, and discharged on July 28^th . On September 30^th, 1916 ”having reported to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) as a local casualty, he was struck-off-strength with effect September 30^th, 1916”. On the same day, he was taken-on-strength with the CCAC., at Folkstone, England. October 4^th, 1916 he was admitted to the Canadian General Hospital at Epsom. November 4, 1916 he reported to the CCAC at Shoreham. November 11^th, 1916 he was classified as ”fit-for-duty” and was struck-off-strength from the CCAC upon transfer to the 39^th Canadian Infantry Battalion. On November 12^th, 1916 he was taken-on-strength with the 39^th Canadian Battalion.

January 4^th, 1917 Pte. Newnham was struck-off-strength from the 39^th Battalion, on transfer to the 6^th Reserve Battalion, where he was taken-on-strength. April 12^th, 1917 Pte. Newnham filled out the standard Army Will, upon his death bequeathing everything to his Mother Mrs. John Newnham. April 21^st, 1917 he was struck-off-strength from the 6^th Canadian Reserve Battalion on being ”drafted/transferred” to the 21^st  Canadian Infantry Battalion.

April 22^nd, 1917 he departed England, and arrived in France,  where he was taken-on-strength with the 21^st Battalion, which was stationed at the Canadian Base Depot at Le Havre, France.

The 21^st Canadian Infantry Battalion (Eastern Ontario) fought as part of the 4^th Canadian Infantry Brigade – 2^nd Canadian Division in France and Flanders (Belgium).

He left to join the Unit in the field on April 24^th, 1917.

The Military File indicates that Pte. Newnham joined the 21^st Battalion, in the field, on May 21^st, 1917.

The 21^st Battalion War Diary indicates that on the date he joined the Unit, it had moved from Auv Rietz, which was in the Pas-de-Calais District of France to a support position at O.62 (map co-ordinate), and where it had relieved the 28^th Canadian Battalion.  He was part of a draft of 149 other ranks that arrived  during the evening. Bringing the effective strength of the four Companies to an average of 125. No fatigues were called for the day, and the Battalion with the exception of ”cleaning up” remained resting. The Battalion remained in this position until May 26^th, and were engaged in ”fatigue parties”, burying communication cables in the area of Cramer Haus. On the 27^th, it moved to a new position designated as T27 d 3.6 (map co-ordinate). On the 28^th, all cooking, for the Battalion was done at the Transport Lines, and brought forward. Due to significant enemy aeroplane activity,  no runners could be used during the daylight hours. The 29^th was reported as quiet. Orders were received for the Battalion to relieve the 18^th Canadian Battalion in the left sub-sector trenches (T22 a 9.2) during the night. Relief was complete by 12:30 am of the 30th. ”D” Company was on the left, ”C” Company on the right, ”A” Company in support, and ”B” Company in reserve.  The 31^st was reported as very quiet.

Nothing in Newnham’s Military File indicates which Company he was with.

June 1917: the month opened with the Battalion making a number of daily marches, finally ending up at the Coupigny Huts on the 4^th. The month was spent in: cleaning up, bathes, change of clothes, recreation and sports. There were church services, and an inspection. The men also trained in ”musketry” (rifles), bombing, and bayonet fighting.

July 1917: the first two days were spent in training. On the 3^rd, the Battalion marched to billets at Bouvigny-Boyeffles, where they continued to train. The 7^th, the Battalion marched to billets at Fosse 10. On the 10^th, the Battalion relieved the 22^nd Canadian Battalion in Brigade Reserve in the Lens Sector, near Angres. There was another move on the 12^th, when the Battalion relieved the 29^th Canadian Battalion in the right Front Line trenches in the Laurent Section. The day was reported as quiet.  The 13^th was reported as relatively quiet with only a few enemy trench mortars fired on Battalion positions. It was reported that there was a lot of aerial activity, with many dog fights and one enemy aeroplane was shot down. The enemy was fairly quiet, on the 14^th, but Battalion artillery was very active. Battalion patrols were out throughout the night patrolling no-mans-land. Nothing unusual was reported.  Activity on the 15^th to 17^th were the same, as the 14^th. On the 17^th the Battalion marched to Foose 10, and was part of the Divisional Reserve. The 23^rd and 24^th were quiet, with the men resting and taking bathes. The Battalion was engaged in special training and practicing attacks on a taped course,  the 25^th to 28^th. The 29^th to 31^st involved the Battalion making preparations to proceed to the front line.

August 1917: the month opened with preparations being made to move to the front. On the 4^th the Battalion relieved the 27^th Canadian Battalion in Brigade Reserve at Bully Grenay. The Battalion remained in a state of readiness, on the 5^th, to move to the front. The 6^th to 8^th were spent in physical and respirator drills, bayonet fighting, fire discipline and fire control exercises. On the 9^th, the Battalion carried out a raid on enemy positions.   

The Military File indicates that on August 9^th, 1917 Pte. Newnham was treated at the 23^rd Casualty Clearing Station with a gunshot wound to the right hand and left wrist.

August 10^th, he was transferred to the No. 22^nd General Hospital at Camiers, France. August 14^th, 1917 he was struck-off-strength on being invalided to Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot at Seaford, England. On the same date he was admitted to the General Military Hospital at Colchester. August 12^th, 1917 he was discharged from the General Military Hospital and taken-on-strength at No. 3 Canadian Convalescent Depot. August 29^th, 1917 he was transferred to the Military Convalescent Depot at Woodcote Park, Epsom. December 20^th, 1917 he ceased to be attached to the Convalescent Depot on being posted to the 6^th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

January 28^th, 1918 he was awarded the Good Conduct Badge. March 28^th, 1918 he was posted to the 21^st Battalion at Seaford. March 29^th, 1918 he departed England and arrived in France, where he was taken-on-strength with the 21^st Canadian Battalion at the 2^nd Canadian Infantry Base Depot. April 4^th, he left for the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp, arriving the same day.

April 12^th, 1918 he left to join the 21^st Battalion in the field.

There are no entries in the Military File from April 12^th to August 8^th, once again the War Diary was used.

April 1918: when Pte. Newnham joined the 21^st Battalion, it was in the front line trenches. Plans that had been made for the Battalion to be relieved on the 12^th, were cancelled. From the 12^th to 16^th, the weather was described as dull, misty, and cold. Although things were reported as generally quiet. Battalion patrols were very active in no-mans-land. The evening of the 16^th, the Battalion marched to billets at Wailly, where they were in Brigade Reserve. They would remain here until the evening of the 20^th/21^st, when it relieved the 31^st Canadian Battalion in support trenches near Neuville-Vitasse. At 2:30 am of the 22^nd, gas was reported in the area of ”C” Company. All Companies were made aware. During the day, enemy aerial activity (areoplanes and balloons) was reported as being above normal, which were engaged by Battalion Lewis guns and anti-aircraft fire, which drove them back. The 23^rd, was reported as very quiet. The night of the 24^th/25^th, the Battalion relieved the 18^th Canadian Battalion in the front line trenches. Immediately after taking up their positions, a battle patrol was sent into no-mans-land, and came back with nothing unusual to report. The day was reported as quiet. The patrol was also sent out in the evening. The 26^th/28^th, were reported as relatively quiet. Patrol activities continued. At 2:00 am of the 29^th, with favourable conditions; the Battalion, with support by a artillery barrage, sent out a raiding party of 4 officers and 100 other ranks. After capturing a number of enemy machine gun nests, and taking prisoners, the men withdrew. The raid was classified as a success.  The information provided by the prisoners was considered very important by senior Battalion officers. The day passed relatively quiet. During the late evening, the Battalion was relieved by the 22^nd (French Canadian) Battalion (the Vandoos). The Battalion marched to billets at Wailly. Casualties for this stint on the front line were reported as: 1 other rank missing, 1 killed, 1 died-of-wounds, and 16 wounded.

May 1918: the 1^st to the 3^rd, were spent resting, cleaning up, a training. The night of the 3^rd/4^th, the Battalion relieved the 27^th Canadian Battalion in the left sub-section of the right Brigade (Mercatel) section. It is reported in the War Diary that: ”the twelve days (from the 4^th to the 15^th) which the Battalion spent in the front line was the longest tour, which had been done on this front. During the whole time, the Battalion was kept on alert, as a German attack on this front seemed imminent. However, ”no such attack took place”. Company deployment, on the 4^th, was as follows: ”C” Company was in the front line trenches on the right, ”D” Company in the front line trenches on the left, ”B” Company was in support trenches, and ”A” Company in reserve. The 10^th/11^th the Companies changed positions: ”A” Company relieved ”D” in the front line trenches on the left, ”B” Company relieved ”C” Company in the front line trenches on the right, ”C” Company moved to support trenches, and ”D” Company to reserve. Other than changing positions, nothing significant took place during this tour in the front line. May 16^th, the Battalion was reported back in billets at Wailly. From the 16^th to 22^nd,  the men were engaged in gas and bolt drills, extended order drills, Platoons and Companies in attack practice.

On May21st, 1918 – General Order #216 was issued, which states: ”with Tommy Cookers being in very short supply, they must be used sparingly, and will only be  issued to front line Battalions”.

A Tommy Cooker was a compact, portable stove, fuelled by what was stated as ”solidified alcohol”. They were notoriously ineffective, taking up to two hours to boil a half pint of water. The Order went on: ”Rum will be issued as supplies are received”. 

The night of the 22^nd/23^rd, the Battalion relieved the 28^th Canadian Battalion in Brigade Support in the Telegraph Hill Switch area, Neuville-Vitasse Section. The Battalion remained in this position to the 29^th. The night of the 29^th/30^th the Battalion relieved the 18^th Canadian Battalion in the front line trenches. “”C” Company was in the right front trenches, ”A” Company in close support; ”D” Company in left front trenches, and ”B” Company in close support. The closing of the month, on the 31^st, was reported as ”the enemy being quiet”. Night patrols were sent out, but no enemy activity was noticed.

June 1918: for whatever reason, there are no entries for the first 3 days of June. The 4^th to the 9^th, the Battalion was shown in billets at Wailly Wood. The night of 9^th/10^th the Battalion relieved the 29^th Canadian Battalion in Brigade Reserve, Right (Mercatel) Section. The night was described as bright, and starlight. The relief was completed without casualties. The Companies were positioned as follows: ”A” Company on the left, ”B” Company on the right, ”C” Company in the centre, and ”D” Company in support. The 10^th, was clear, and bright with considerable aeroplane activity. Artillery activity was reported as below normal, until the evening when enemy guns fired a barrage on communication trenches, cutting telephone lines. Runners were used to get information between Companies. The 11^th, began misty, but cleared by noon. Artillery activity was below normal, until 7:00 pm, when Battalion heavies opened fire on enemy rear areas. The 12^th to 15^th, continued in this pattern. The late evening of the 15^th, the Battalion relieved the 20^th Canadian Battalion in the left sub-section Mercatel Section of the front line. Relief was completed by midnight, without casualties. During the 16^th enemy artillery was quite active, firing on Battalion positions, and resulting in 6 casualties. On the 17^th, Battalion artillery retaliated, firing several barrages on enemy rear areas. Allied aeroplanes were quite active, throughout the day, over enemy positions. Battalion artillery fired several exhibition  barrages on enemy rear areas, on the 18^th. There was little response from the enemy. On the 19^th, there were heavier barrages,in preparation for a Battalion raid that was to take place on the 20^th.  At 1:00 am Battalion artillery opened up on enemy front line trenches, as the advance began. After one hour, a withdrawal signal flare was fired, and the raid moved back. The raid was deemed successful. After several days of nice weather, it rained heavily on the 21^st, clearing by late evening. Battalion heavies were very active during the day, with little response from the enemy. The night of the 21^st/22^nd, the Battalion was relieved by the 25^th Canadian Battalion (Nova Scotia), and took a position in Divisional Reserve at Bretencourt. Casualties for this tour was reported as 5 other ranks killed. The 22^nd to 26^th, were spent with the men cleaning clothes, equipment, and having bathes. On the 27^th, as part of a larger move, where the 2^nd Canadian Division was relieved by the 3^rd Canadian Division, the 21^st Battalion was relieved by the 49^th Canadian Battalion, and were billeted in large French and Nissen Huts at  Fosseux. The 2^nd Canadian Division had been holding the section since March 29^th, and were being relieved for a well deserved rest. The Battalion was now part of the 1^st Canadian Army – XVII Corps. The rest of the month was spent in cleaning up, and resting, with light training.

July 1918: the 1^st to the 12^th, the Battalion was training in: Battalion, Company, and Platoon schemes: as well as ”Arm., BF and PT” drills. Research failed to identify what these abbreviations stood for. They undertook training in gas mask and musketry (rifle). The mornings were devoted to extended order and ceremonials. The afternoons in: inter-Company football and baseball matches. On the 13^th, it marched to Divisional Reserve, where it relieved the1/14^th London Scottish Battalion. The 14^th, was devoted to various denominational church services. At 4:30 am, the Battalion marched to a forward  Brigade Support position, where it relieved the 7^th Middlesex Battalion (British). It remained in this position until the 4:30 am on the 19^th, when it was relieved by the 15^th Canadian Battalion (the 48^th Highlanders of Canada). Upon relief it marched to ”Y” Camp, where it remained to the evening, when it marched to billets at Agnex-les-Duisans, five miles east of Arras, France.  The 20^th to 22^nd, were spent in training in: bayonet fighting and physical conditioning, musketry (rifle), gas, and Platoon drills; as well as church services. On the 23^rd, it marched to Manin, where, upon arrival, they were fed a hot meal. They also, dried their clothes, and equipment. The 24^th to 29^th, were spent in general training, and Companies spending time on a general musketry course. Shortly after midnight on the 29^th/30^th, the Battalion marched to the Petit-Nouvin Station, where it entrained for the Picquingy area. After detraining, it marched to billets at Fluy-Seux. It was now in the 4^th Canadian Army area. It rested on the 31^st.

August 1918: ”A and B” Companies were Seux, while ”C and D” Companies were at Fluy. The morning of the 1^st, the Battalion marched 6 1/2 miles to the area of Picquingy, where it watched a Tank demonstration. They marched back in the evening. Due to rain, nothing took place on the 2^nd. At 11:00 pm, on the 3^rd, the Battalion marched 12 miles in battle order to Boutilliere, arriving at 5:45 am,  where it was billeted in an old ammunition factory. It remained in place on the 4^th, preparing for another move. The night of 5^th/6^th, in preparation for a planned offensive, it marched to a new location, which, is not specified in the War Diary. Throughout the 6^th, unusual enemy aerial activity was reported followed by heavy harassing artillery fire. During the 7^th, the Battalion was making preparations for an offensive. The night of the 7^th/8^th, the Battalion moved forward to the jump off position, arriving at 3:20 am. Zero hour was 4:20 am. The attack began, on the 8^th, as scheduled, but without the usual preliminary artillery barrage on enemy positions. Due to the heavy mist, that blanketed the area, compasses were used to move forward. As result of the mist, the tanks that were to support the advance got lost. They did join the attack later. The men of the Battalion moved forward in waves. By 7:15 am, the Battalion was through the area of Marcel Cave. By 10:15 am, the 25^th Canadian Battalion, moved through the lines of the 21^st Battalion, and continued the attack. For the Battalion, the attack was a considered a success: capturing a number of enemy artillery and machine guns; as well as capturing 7 officers, and 100 other ranks.  Having said that: the commanding officer was killed, a number of officers were wounded; along with 18 other ranks killed, and 64 wounded. Pte. Newnham was one of the casualties.

The Military File indicates that he was treated at a Casualty Clearing Station with a gunshot wound to his face, on August 8^th, 1916.

He was first treated at the No. 1 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance), then was sent on the the No. 47 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station). It is reported that based on the seriousness of his wound, he was transported, the same day, by No. 26 AT (Ambulance Train) to a Hospital in the rear.

On August 9^th, 1918 he was admitted and treated at No. 16 General Hospital at Le Trepot. August 11^th, 1918 he was transferred to the No. 3 Convalescent Depot. August 25^th, 1918 he was discharged from the No.3 Convalescent Depot to the Canadian Infantry Base Depot. On the same day he left of the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in the field, arriving the the same day. He left to join the 21^st Battalion in the field on September 26^th, 1918 arriving the same day.

The War Diary was used for the period from September 26^th and October 11^th.

September 1918: when Pte. Newnham rejoined the Battalion, they had just moved forward to a Brigade Support position at the Buisay Switch Line.  On the 27^th, they marched to Divisional bathes at Hendecout. The Battalion moved to Hindenburg Support Line, on the 28^th, where it is reported that everything was very quiet. They remained there, for the rest of the month.

October 1918: at 4:30 am, on the 1^st, the Battalion moved to a new position identified as E.4.b. (map co-ordinate). Upon arrival, at 6:30 am, the men were served a complete breakfast. They then rested for the rest of the day. At 7:30 pm, the Battalion moved to a new position X.19.c. Although, there was much bombing of the route by hostile aircraft, they arrived at 10:00 pm, without casualties. The 2^nd to the 8^th, were reported relatively quiet, with the men involved in training. At 3:15 am, on the 9^th, the Battalion proceeded to an assembly area, in the Marcong Line, arriving at 5:00 am. At 5:00 pm it assembled at the Sunken Road, before starting to move forward, once again. The enemy observed the move, and shelled the Battalion en route. At 6:10 pm, it crossed, the Canal-de-L’escaut. Taking up billets at Escaudoeuvres. At 5:45 am, on the 10^th, the Battalion assembled at T.19.b. in preparation for a 4^th Canadian Brigade attack through Naves, and across the Erclin River. Although, it was  in reserve, it was ordered to stay in close touch, with the 18^th Canadian Battalion, which was in the lead. At Zero hours (6:00 am) the Battalion started to advance in artillery formation to an area north-west of the railway line at T.10.c., and T.16.a. Due to a delay in the advance of the 18^th Battalion, the 21^st remained in position throughout the day. On the 11^th, the Battalion was the attacking Battalion on the right side of the 4^th Canadian Brigade advance on Avesnes-le-Sec. At 9:00 am, the Battalion began its advance. The enemy’s response was swift. Machine guns post, on the right of the advancing battalion resulted in many casualties, but the attack continued, until the advance of whole line, right and left, stalled. The Enemy now counter-attacked with tanks, forcing the Battalion to withdraw. As a result the Battalion suffered numerous casualties, including: 39 other ranks killed, and 272 wounded.

Private William John Newnham was reported killed-in-action October 11^th, 1918.

The Memorial Plague (also referred to as the Dead Man’s Penny) and Memorial Scroll were dispatched to his father: Mr. John Newnham of Selwyn, Ontario. The Memorial Cross, along with the British War Medal and the Victory Medal were dispatched to his mother: Mrs. Margaret J. Newnham of the same address.

Private William John Newnham is buried in the Niagara British Cemetery, near the village of Iwny, north-east of the town of Cambrai, France.

According to the Military File, Private William John Newnham served a total of 2 years, 8 months, and 13 days with the Canadian Expeditionary Force: just short of 6 months in Canada; 1 year, 4 months, and 12 days in the U.K., and 9 months, and 14 days in France.    

 An excerpt from an article in Maclean’s by Barbara Ameil, September 1996:

”The Military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honourable”.

PERSONAL HISTORY

WILLIAM JOHN NEWNHAM

William John Newnham was born in Dummer Township on May 14, 1887, the son of John Henry Newnham and Margaret Jane Dodds.  The family farmed in the township until at least 1901 when they relocated to a farm on Lot 18 & 19, Concession 11 of Smith Township.  William received his education in the local school and helped on the farm.

In January 1916, William went to Peterborough and enlisted to serve his King and Country joining the 93rd Battalion.  William was assigned to the “C” Company and on May 29, 1916, the battalion boarded a train to proceed to Kingston, Ontario to continue training at the Barriefield Camp. 

In July, he embarked the S.S. Empress of Britain in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  In 1918, William was involved in the attack at Aveanes-le-Sec.  Sadly he was killed in action on October 11, 1918.  Private William John Newnham is remembered with honour in the Niagara British Cemetery in Iwuy, near Denain, France.

FAMILY HISTORY OF WILLIAM JOHN NEWNHAN

The paternal grandparents of William John Newnham were Sarah Jane Shaw and George William Newnham.  George and Sarah farmed in Dummer Township and George died February 6, 1904, age 80 years.

The maternal grandparents of William John Newnham were Mary Jane Bell and Hugh Dodds of Dummer Township.  Mary Jane and Hugh Dodds farmed in Dummer Township and had a family of at least seven children – Margaret Jane, Emma Amelia, Peter Alexander, Hugh Allan, David Albert, Mabel Rosetta and Arthur Edward Dodds.

The parents of William John Newnham were John Henry Newnham born in Meyersburg, Northumberland County on August 10, 1864 and Margaret Jane Dodds, born in Dummer Township in July 1865.    Margaret Jane Dodds was the daughter of Mary Jane Bell and Hugh Dodds.  John and Margaret were married in Warsaw, Ontario on February 3, 1886.

They farmed in Dummer Township and had a family of five children before moving sometime before 1901 to a farm on Lot 18 & 19, Concession 11 in Smith Township.  They had a family of eight children – William John, Mina Irena, Hugh Edward, Lorne Theodore, Ella May, Joseph Leonard, Gerald Allen and Eva Pearl Newnham.  John Henry Newnham died in Dummer Township on September 24, 1926 and is buried in Dummer Township.