Ronald Arthur Newman

Private Ronald Arthur Newman served in the Hallamshire Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.

A Territorial Battalion, the Hallamshires served with the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division. The Battalion landed in France on 9 June 1944, three days after D-Day, and four days later were in the front line. In the September the Battalion crossed the Antwerp-Turnhout Canal and with other forces held the bridgehead on the north bank.

Ronald died of wounds on 29 September 1944 and is buried in Geel War Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. II.B.24). There are 400 WW2 Commonwealth burials in the Cemetery, four from the Hallamshire Battalion: Lance Corporal Leslie Ernest Fry (26 September 1944), Pte Ronald Arthur Newman (29 September 1944), Private Kenneth Charles Spencer (29 September 1944) and Private Enoch Stott (22 October 1944).

CWGC History of Geel War Cemetery: Geel is midway between Antwerpen [Antwerp], Hasselt and Leuven. 'The British Expeditionary Force was involved in the later stages of the defence of Belgium following the German invasion in May 1940 ... Commonwealth forces did not return until September 1944 ... Geel was the scene of some of the heaviest fighting encountered by Commonwealth troops since they had left Normandy. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division and the 15th Scottish Division were both involved here in the forcing of crossings of the Albert Canal and the Meuse-Escaut Canal, necessary for the advance into Holland. Some of the casualties they suffered were originally buried in a meadow near the centre of the commune, and some in the St. Dymphna civil cemetery; these graves were later moved into Geel War Cemetery.' (www.cwgc.org)

CWGC Additional information: Son of John Arthur and Lily Newman, of Lenton, Nottingham.

CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'God be with you till we meet again'

Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 24 February 1943: ‘Newman. February 21st, at General Hospital, John Arthur (Jack) aged 47. Loving wife Lily, son Ronald, mother and brothers Alf and Billy. Wilford Hill, Thursday, 2.30.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 21 February 1945: ‘Newman. Treasured memories of John Arthur, died February 21st, 1944. Wife Lily.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Nottingham Evening Post, 9 October 1944: ‘Local War Casualties. Pte Donald-sic Arthur Newman, of 22, Harley-street, Lenton, has died of wounds.’ (www.britishnewapperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 10 October 1944: ‘Newman, In September, Ronald Arthur, aged 18 years, died of wounds, NW France, son of late Jack Newman. Sorrowing mam, uncles Billy and Alf.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Acknowledgements’, 13 October 1944: ‘Mrs L Newman wishes to thank relatives, friends and neighbours for sympathy in her sad bereavement.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 28 September 1946: ‘Newman. Loving memories of Ronald Arthur, killed in action NW Europe, September 29th, 1944. Mother, uncles Alf and Billy.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 29 May 1968: ‘Newman. Lily, of 22 Harley Street, Lenton, passed peacefully away on May 26th in the General Hospital. Loving sister of Charlie and Bill, Jack and May (Australia) and in-laws. Service and cremation Wilford Hill, Thursday, 2.50pm.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Updated and additional research RF (October 2025)