Alvin Henry Newbury
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Alvin Henry was the son of William Henry and Elizabeth Ada Newbury (née Eldridge). His father, William, was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, in 1862 (J/F/M Luton), the son of William and Elizabeth Newbury (née Denton). In 1881 the family was living at Railway Cottage, Arlington, Woburn; William snr was a railway signalman and William jnr. a railway porter. His mother, Elizabeth Ada Eldridge, was born in Stourport, Worcestershire, in 1863 (J/A/S Kidderminster-Tebbott). William Henry and Elizabeth Ada were married in 1888 (J/A/S Woburn Beds) and had four children: Alvin Henry b. Bedford 1889 (A/M/J Bedford), Grace Daisy b. Netherfield birth registered 1891 (J/F/M Basford), Sydney (also Sidney) Eldridge b. Doncaster 1893 (A/M/J Doncaster Yorkshire) and Ada Gertrude b. Doncaster 11 November 1894 (O/N/D Doncaster). Although the second child, Grace, was born in Netherfield in late 1890 or early 1891 by the time of the census in 1891 William and Elizabeth were living at 49 South Street, Doncaster. William was employed as a railway guard. Their two youngest children were born while they were living in Doncaster and the family was still living at the same address in Doncaster in 1901. However, by 1911 the family was living on Cropwell Road, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. William (48) was employed as a railway inspector. All four children were living at home: Alvin (21) was a railway clerk, Daisy (20) a student, Sidney(17) a clerk in a lace warehouse and Ada (16) a scholar. William and Elizabeth were still living in Radcliffe-on-Trent when Alvin and Sydney were killed in 1916 and 1917 respectively. The CWGC record gives their address as 'Tenedos', Radcliffe-on-Trent ,Nottinghamshire. His brother, Sydney Eldridge, gained a commission as second-lieutenant in the Sherwood Foresters and died of wounds in France on 30 June 1917 (Noeux-Les-Mines Communal Cemetery). His youngest sister, Ada Gertrude, married Captain William Alfred Ecob, Yorkshire Regiment, at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Radcliffe-on-Trent, on 6 October 1917. In 1918 their address was 'Tenedos', Cropwell Road, Radcliffe-on-Trent; presumably they were living with Ada's parents. William Ecob transferred to the RFC in January 1918 and to the RAF on 1 April 1918. He was probably selected as he had a 'knowledge of topography (passed geology in Inter- BSc London)' having studied at University College Nottingham 1912-1914 and holding lecturing and teaching qualifications. He served in the RAF until September 1919. Ada and William had a son Alvin Keith Newbury in 1919 (J/F/M Eltham Kent) and probably three other sons: Gordon Sydney Newbury b. 1924 (O/N/D Eton Bucks), David HN b. 1826 (O/N/D Eton) and Michael RN birth registered 1930 (J/F/M Eton). In 1939 the family was living in Hendon Middlesex; William was an advertising publicity director (travel banking & shipping). Their eldest son Alvin served as lieutenant in the Beds. & Herts Regiment in the Second World War and was captured in Europe in 1944. William died on 4 January 1981 and Ada on 27 February 1990 (J/F/M St Albans Herts). His eldest sister, Grace Daisy served in the VAD (Notts University College VAD 96) during the war and was also a volunteer with the British Red Cross Society. Her service included duty at The Pavilion Auxiliary Hospital (Nottingham 108) and Hastings Auxiliary Hospital. Ada has not been traced after the war. His parents William Henry and Elizabeth Ada have also not yet been traced after the war.
Alvin served with the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). A notice of his death gave the information that he was a bombing instructor. Alvin was serving in France by 1915 and received medical treatment in hospital in September 1915 ('pyrexia' - fever), returning to duty on 15 September. His medical record noted that he had completed one years' service. He was killed in action on 30 April 1916, two days before his 27th birthday. Alvin has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Alvin qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Mundella Magazine, Christmas 1918, ROH: 'Newbury, Alvin Henry, corporal, City of London Rifles.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 10 May 1916: ‘Newbury. Killed in action, April 30th, after 14 months’ fighting, and two days before his 27th birthday, Corpl. Alvin Henry Newbury, bombing instructor London Rifles, and elder son of Mr and Mrs WH Newbury, Radcliffe-onTrent.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Newbury Alvin Henry of Radcliffe-on-Trent Nottinghamshire corporal in HM Army died 30 April 1916 at France Administration Nottingham 13 June to William Henry Newbury railway inspector. Effects £91 6s Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father, William, was awarded administration. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 4, 5 & 6 July 1917: ‘Newbury. Died of wounds, June 30th, Second-Lieut. Sydney Eldridge Newbury, Sherwood Foresters, aged 24, the dearly loved second son of Mr and Mrs Newbury,m Radcliffe-on-Trent.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Marriages’, 17 October 1917: 'Ecob-Newbury. On October 6th, at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Radcliffe-on-Trent by the Rev. A J Matthews, of Blackburn, assisted by the Rev. W Jones, MSc, Captain William Alfred Ecob, Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr and Mrs AP Ecob, of 37 Rutland-road, West Bridgford, to Ada Gertrude, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs WH Newbury, of Radcliffe-on-Trent
