Arthur James Newton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur James was the son of James and Annie Newton (née Clarke). His parents were married at Radford All Saints, Nottingham, on 27 June 1878 and had at least six children; four of whom were born in Nottingham: Mabel Clarke b. 1879, Arthur James b. 1881, George Frederick b. 1884, Ellen Amelia b. Germany abt. 1892, Mary/May Florence b. 1895 and Henrietta Margaret b. Beeston birth registered 1898 (J/F/M). In 1881 James (25) and Annie (23) were living on Bentinck Road, Radford, with their daughter Mabel (1). The family has not yet been traced on the 1891 Census and it is likely that they were living in Germany where Ellen was born. By 1901 James, a lace draughtsman, and his wife were living on Humber Road, Beeston, with five of their six children: Arthur (19) a lace maker, George (16) a lace threader, Ellen (9), Mary (6) and Maggie (3). Annie had been widowed by 1911 and was living on William Street, Beeston, with three of her children, George a lace maker, Mary a pinafore machinist and Maggie a laundry hand. She later lived on Station Street, Beeston. Arthur James married Eliza Lee (b. 1881) at Beeston St John the Baptist on 22 December 1906 and they had three sons, John Arthur b. 1908, Edward b. 1909 and Geoffrey b. 1913. In 1911 Arthur, a Leivers lace maker, and Eliza (29) were living at 83 Imperial Road, Beeston, with their two sons, John and Edward. Geoffrey was born two years later. The family home was at 9 Montague Road, Beeston, when Arthur was killed in 1918 and Eliza and their three sons were still living at the same address when the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled.
2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) formerly 3rd Bn. Arthur James attested on 8 December 1915 at the age of 34 years, 7 months. He was posted to the Army Reserve the next day and mobilized the following year on 10 April 1917. He was posted to the 3rd Bn Sherwood Foresters on 12 April but later transferred to the 2nd Bn. He embarked for France in August 1917 and disembarked at Calais on 12 August 1917. Arthur was admitted to St John Hospital, The Grange, Southport, in late January 1918 suffering from trench feet and trench fever; 'Illness began with trench feet, developed into trench fever while in hospital. On admission here [St John Hospital] pains in legs and back, no blistering of feet. Recovered.' He was discharged from hospital on 8 February 1918 and then posted to No. 21 Depot Ripon where he transferred to the 5th Reserve Bn. He served at home until 7 June 1918 and then returned to France where he was killed in action on 19 September 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France (Panel 7). CWGC - History of Vis-en-Artois Memorial (extract): 'This Memorial bears the names of over 9,000 men who fell in the period from 8 August 1918 to the date of the Armistice in the Advance to Victory in Picardy and Artois, between the Somme and Loos, and who have no known grave.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of James and Annie Newton, of Station Rd., Beeston; husband of Eliza Newton, of 9, Montague St., Beeston, Notts.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 9 October 1918: 'Newton. Killed in action, September 19th, 1918, Pte Arthur James Newton, Sherwood Foresters, beloved husband of Eliza Newton, 9 Montague-street, Beeston, aged 37 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: widow Eliza residence Beeston, children John Arthur, Edward and Geoffrey. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow Eliza was his sole legatee
