Wyndham History

Edward Newton (c1893-1969)

Item

Placeholder image - Veteran.png

Dublin Core

Type

Title

Edward Newton (c1893-1969)

Contributor

Date

1916

Publisher

Wyndham City Libraries

Format

text

Language

eng

World War One Veterans Item Type Metadata

Name

Edward Newton

Birth Date

Birthplace

Service Number

3410

Enlistment Date

Next of Kin

Nicholas Newton,
Werribee
Father

Address at time of Enlistment

Werribee, Victoria

Occupation

Marital Status

Single

Death Date

Biographical Text

No.3410  Edward Newton
Edward (Ted) Newton was born to parents Nicholas Newton and Mary Newton (nee Middlemiss) circa 1893 in Blue Mountain, Trentham, Victoria. The couple had married in 1888 and had five children:
  • Roland - born c1891
  • Edward - born c1893
  • Elizabeth - born c1897
  • Nicholas -born c1900 and
  • William - born c1908.
War Service
Edward, aged 23, enlisted in serve his country on 23 January, 1916. On enlistment, Edward was a resident of Werribee, Victoria and he was employed as an engine driver. He was single and his next of kin was his father, Nicholas Newton, who was also living in Werribee. Edward’s medical examination confirmed that he was 5 foot, 6¾ inches in height, weighed 136 pounds and sported grey eyes and brown hair. He had some distinctive marks which included a birthmark on the right of his back, a scar on his right leg, a boil scar on his right thigh and a boil scar on the back of his neck. He was considered fit for service.

Before embarking, Edward spent 27 September 1916 to 24 October 1916 at Non Commissioned Officers (NCO) School in Geelong. From there he was sent to Seymour until he embarked from Melbourne to Plymouth on 16 December 1916. Edward helped form the 2nd Pioneer Battalion (8th Reinforcements).

The battalion disembarked at Plymouth from the HMAT A7 Medic on 18 February of 1917. On 30 March, 2017, Edward marched into Pioneer Training Battalion from No. 1 Command Depot and on 9 May, he was promoted to Corporal on Command at Pioneer School in Reading, United Kingdom.

From here, on 6 August, Edward and his battalion marched into the Australian General Base Depot where on 3 September he was attached to the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company. (A. E. & M. M. & B) The A. E. & M. M. & B was responsible for the installation and the maintenance of lighting and the power plant as well as the pumps and fans in the First and Second Army areas. Additionally, they were responsible for deep boring in the forward and rear areas as well as shallow boring along the front.

On 14 February 1918, Edward proceeded on leave. Unfortunately, when he returned from leave on 28 February, he was awarded with an offence as he was 'absent without leave for 24 hours' as he overstayed his leave in the United Kingdom. He forfeited 9 days pay on 3 March. 

On 13 March, Edward was admitted to the 2nd Can. Field Ambulance for Pyrexia, a fever of unknown origin.  The following day he was discharged from hospital to duty and on 5 May he was taken on strength of A. E. & M. M. & B. 

The following year, post conflict, on 5 January 1919, Edward proceeded on leave once again.  On 19 January he was granted an extension of leave, pending discharge. On 30 January he was once again awarded with an offence for being absent without leave from 26 to 30 January – he had five days pay forfeited.  On 11 February, Edward was admitted to the 3rd Australian Auxillary Hospital with influenza. He quickly recovered and on 17 February marched into the No. 1 Command Depot.

Come March, Edward was homebound. He left the United Kingdom to return to Australia on the HT Warwickshire on 5 April, disembarking in Melbourne on 29 May 1919. Shortly after, on 5 July 1919, Edward was discharged from the AIF in Melbourne. His period of enlistment was terminated.

Post War
Edward resided in Werribee briefly, before moving interstate to Ravenshoe in North Queensland. In Ravenshoe, Edward was employed once again as an engine driver. In 1924, He married Helena May Arnold. It is unknown if the union produced any children. The couple moved to Taringa where they resided at Briggs Street.  As well as serving in the First World War, Edward also served in World War II. During his enlistment period, Edward served as Captain with the 1st Australian Mobile Laundry and Decontamination Unit.

On 16 October 1960, Helena passed away. After the passing of his wife, Edward went on to marry Sarah Ann. The couple later resided in the suburb of Chelmer, just outside of Brisbane.

Edward died on 3 November in 1969. He was aged 76.

Medals and Entitlements:
  • British War Medal
  • Victory Medal

Bibliography

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7994998

http://www.tunnellers.net/files/aemmbcraebook.pdf

https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/200337445?q&versionId=219710977

http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/ww1/2015/01/24/rediscovering-anzacs/

Medals and Entitlements

British War Medal
Victory Medal

Citation

“Edward Newton (c1893-1969),” Wyndham History, accessed November 30, 2023, http://www.wyndhamhistory.net.au/items/show/2492.

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