Victor Newton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Victor was the son of Michael and Louise Newton (née Monney). His father Michael was born in Derby in about 1865. He may have been the son of Michael Newton as there is a census record in 1871 of a Michael Newton (5 b. Derby) and his sister Margaret (12 b. Derby) living with their widowed father Michael (b. Lancashire), an agricultural labourer, in a lodging house in Stone, Staffordshire. His mother Louise Monney was born in Switzerland in about 1852 but may have been a British subject. There is a record on the 1881 census of a Louise Monney (29 b. Switzerland) employed as a ladies' maid in the household of Julia Blackwood in Midlothian, Scotland. Michael and Louise were married at Derby St Anne in 1882 (reg. J/F/M Derby) and according to the information he provided on the 1911 census they had been married for 30 years and had had 14 children of whom only 12 survived. The family has not yet been traced on the 1891 or 1901 census, but nine children, who were born between 1885 and 1901, were in the home on the night of the 1911 census: Lilley (sic-Lilian) b. Derby, Nete (sic) b. Derby), Harold b. Warrington Lancashire, Victor b. Birmingham birth registered 1892 (J/F/M), May b. Hysel Grove Lancashire, Pauline b. Liverpool, Stanley b. Oldham Lancashire, Archibald b. Basford, Sidney b. Derby and Lesley b. Basford. The brother Arthur, whose name was included in the 'in Memoriam' notice of 1917, was probably Arthur Henry, born before Lilian and birth also registered in Derby. Another son, Harold (b. Warrington), has been traced on a Milita attestation, and was about two years older than Victor. Michael and Louise were living at 63 Duke Street, Basford, in 1907 when Harold attested in the Militia (Militia or Reserve Division of the Militia). He was aged 18y 6m, a lace hand (TF Birkin, Nottingham) and living with his parents. Harold was already serving in the 2nd Bn Notts Rifle Volunteers but joined the 4th Bn Sherwood Foresters on 7 September 1907 (2201). He completed the required 49 days training then transferred to the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on 10 January the following year. He named his parents, brothers Victor, Stanley and Archibald, also of Duke Street, and his brother Arthur, address not known. as his next of kin. In 1911 the family was living at 63 Monsall Street, Nottingham: Michael (48) who was out of work, Louise (56), Lilley (25) out of work, Nete (21) lace mender, Victor (19) labourer wicker works, May (17) and Pauline (15) who were both lace threaders, Stanley (14) an errand boy and Archibald (13), Sidney (11) and Lesley (8) who were at school. Arthur was probably married (Eliza) and living in Mansfield with their daughter. Victor's parents were living at 142 Egypt Road, New Basford, Nottingham, by the time he was killed in 1916. Michael may have died in 1929 (reg. J/F/M). Victor married Lizzie Marshall (b. 1895) on 28th February 1916. The entry on his army record notes that the marriage took place 'at the parish church at Basford Nottingham' although no record has yet been found of their marriage in a parish church in the area. They had a son, Harold Victor (b. Bulwell 1916) and lived at 12 Athol Terrace, Egypt Road, Basford, Nottingham. Following his death his widow Lizzie was awarded a pension of 18 shillings and 9 pence a week, first payment made on 2nd April 1917. Lizzie married secondly Alfred Whittaker in 1919 and in 1939 they were living in Nottingham with her son Harold Victor and their two sons; the record of another member of the household, probably another child, remains closed.
Private Victor Newton enlisted on 15th March 1916 at Nottingham aged 24 yrs 91 days. He gave his address as 12 Athol Terrace, Egypt Road, Basford; his wife Lizzie of the same address was named as his next of kin. Victor was posted to the 18th battalion Sherwood Foresters on 24th March 1916. He landed in France on 4th July 1916 and arrived at Etaples depot on 6th July 1916 joining the battalion in the field on 24th July 1916 He was killed in action on 16th September 1916 and is buried in Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France (grave ref. 1.G.9). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery (extract): 'The French handed over Arras to Commonwealth forces in the spring of 1916 and the system of tunnels upon which the town is built were used and developed in preparation for the major offensive planned for April 1917.The Commonwealth section of the Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery was begun in March 1916, behind the French military cemetery established earlier. It continued to be used by field ambulances and fighting units until November 1918. The cemetery was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields and from two smaller cemeteries in the vicinity.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Fond remembrance' CWGC Additional information: 'Husband of L. Whittaker (formerly Newton), of 12, Athol Terrace, Egypt Rd., Basford, Nottingham.' Nottingham Evening Post, 'Rioll of Honour', 23 September 1916: 'Newton. Killed in action September 15th (sic), Private Victor Newton Sherwood Foresters, age 24 of 12 Athol Terrace, Egypt Road. Wife Lily. Mother, father, sisters, brothers, 142 Egypt Road, New Basford.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 17 September 1917: ‘Newton. In loving memory of our dear son, Private Victor Newton, killed in action September 16th, 1916, A day of remembrance sad to recall. From mother, father, sisters, brothers and Arthur, Harold, Stanley, Archie (in France).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 17 September 1917: ‘Newton. In loving memory of Private Victor Newton, killed in action September 16th, 1916. Never will his memory fade. From loving wife and baby Harold.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
