May 14, 1887

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

Jan 28, 1916

Attested into the 93^rd 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 1^st 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 39^th Reserve Battalion

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th 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 21^st 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 21^st Battalion

May 21, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Newnham joined the 21^st 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 21^st 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 3^rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) to continue his recovery in Seaford

Dec 20, 1917

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

Jan 28, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Mar 28, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st 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 21^st 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 21^st Battalion

Apr 12, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp he rejoined the 21^st 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 21^st 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