William John Newnham



May 14, 1887

Born in Dummer Township, Peterborough County, Ontario to John Henry and Margaret (nee Dodds) Newnham

 

Jan 28, 1916

Attested into the 93rd Battalion CEF in Peterborough, Ontario

Ø  Number 195694

Ø  Next of kin given as John Newnham, father, Selwyn, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as  Farm Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Assigned to “C” Company

 

May 29, 1916

The battalion boarded a train to proceeded to Kingston, Ontario to continue training at the Barriefield Camp

 

Jul 15, 1916

Embarked the Empress of Britain in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 
 

Jul 25, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and was admitted directly to the 1st Western General Hospital in Liverpool with a diagnosis that reads Diphtheria

 
Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes on being admitted to hospital

 

Oct 4, 1916

Transferred to the CCH (Canadian Convalescent Hospital) in Epsom

 

Nov 11, 1916

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the 39th Reserve Battalion

 

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling to continue training

 
Shortly after the formation of the battalion it moved to Seaford to train reinforcements for the front

 

Apr 21, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 22, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 3,000 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

May 21, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Newnham joined the 21st Battalion in the support trenches near Vimy Ridge as part of a draft of 149 reinforcements from the base depot and was assigned to “A” Company

 

Aug 9, 1917

On the night of August 8/9, the 21st Battalion carried out a trench raid on the enemy Coin and Coke trenches.  Private Newnham received wounds to his right hand and left wrist.  He was first evacuated to the nearby field ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 23 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment

 

Aug 10, 1917

Transferred to the No. 22 Canadian General Hospital in Camiers

 

Aug 14, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

 

 
On arrival in England he was admitted to the General Military Hospital in Colchester

 
Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Aug 28, 1917

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

 

Sep 21, 1917

Transferred to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) to continue his recovery in Seaford

 

Dec 20, 1917

Discharged from hospital and posted to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Jan 28, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

 

Mar 28, 1918

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Mar 29, 1918

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 50 reinforcements from England and TOS the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 3, 1918

After leaving the base depot he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart s part of a draft of 98 reinforcements destined to join the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 12, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp he rejoined the 21st Battalion in the front line east of Blairville, France

 

Aug 8, 1918

During the battalion’s advance on the town of Marcelcave, France, Private Newnham was wounded and evacuated to the No. 1 CFA for first aid before being transported to the No. 47 CCS for treatment.  His wounds were so severe he was transported the same day via the No. 26 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 16 Canadian General Hospital in Le Treport

 

Aug 11, 1918

Transferred to the No. 3 Convalescent Depot in Le Treport to continue his recovery

 

Aug 25, 1918

Discharged from the convalescent depot and reported to the No. 2 CIBD in Etaples and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

 

Sep 25, 1918

After leaving the base depot he joined the CC Rein C in Aubin St Vaast

 

Sep 26, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp he rejoined the 21st Battalion bivouacked in Brigade Support in the Buissy Switch Line

 

Oct 11, 1918

During the battalion’s attack on the town of Avesnes-le-Sec Private Newnham was killed in action.  He was later buried in the Niagara British Cemetery in Iwuy, south of the town of Demuin, France

 

 
Following the war British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Margaret J. Newnham, Selwyn, Ontario

 
The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, John Newnham, at the same address


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