Mark Newton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Mark was the son of Alexander Newton and Jane Newton (nee Johnson). His father Alexander was born in about 1849 in Nottingham and his mother Jane Johnson was also born in Nottingham in about 1852. They were married at Gedling All Hallows on 27 December 1869 and had nine children all of whom were born in Carlton: John b. 1871 and Richard birth registered 1873 (J/F/M) who were both baptised at Gedling All Hallows 9 July 1876; Rosalia (also Rose or Ann) b. 1876 bap. (Rosina) All Hallows 23 September 1877; Fanny b. 1878 bap. All Hallows 10 September 1880; Elizabeth Ann b. 1881; Mark b. 17 December 1883 bap. Carlton in the Willows St Paul 23 November 1887 and Annie birth registered 1889 (J/F/M), Albert birth registered 1891 (J/F/M) and Harriet b. 1892, all three of whom were baptised at St Paul on 16 March 1895. Alexander, a framework knitter, and Jane, a seamstress, were living on Main Street, Carlton, in 1881, with their children John (10), Richard (9), Rose (4) and Fanny (2). Elizabeth was born later that year. They were still living on Main Street in 1891. Only seven of their eight children were in the home on the night of the census: John and Richard who were both rope makers, Ann (sic), Elizabeth (9), Mark (7), Annie (2) and Albert (under 1 year). Fanny has not yet been traced on the 1891 Census. The youngest child, Harriett, was born the following year. By 1901 Alexander was recorded as an inmate in the Union Workhouse, Highbury Road, Basford. His wife Jane was still living on Main Street and was recorded as head of household; she was working as a washerwoman. Only five of her children were still at home: Elizabeth who worked in a cotton mill, Mark a cabinet maker and Annie, Albert and Harriett (8) who were still at school. Jane (62) was living at 67 Main Street, Carlton in 1911, and with her husband still an inmate of the Union Workhouse, was again recorded as head of the family. In the home on the night of the census were Mark a cabinet maker, and Annie, Albert and Harriet who were all working as french polishers. Alexander died aged 69 on 3 October 1918. The later CWGC record gave Jane's address as 479 Main Street, Carlton, Nottingham. She probably died in 1926.
Sapper Mark Newton enlisted in Birmingham but was living in Carlton, Nottingham. He served with 65th Company of the Royal Engineers. Mark died of dysentery in Palastine on 30th October 1918 and he is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, Israel and Palestine inc. Gaza (grave ref. XXVII.G.I). CWGC: History of Gaza War Cemetery (extract): 'Gaza was bombarded by French warships in April 1915. At the end of March 1917, it was attacked and surrounded by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in the First Battle of Gaza, but the attack was broken off when Turkish reinforcements appeared. The Second Battle of Gaza, 17-19 April, left the Turkish forces in possession and the Third Battle of Gaza, begun on 27 October, ended with the capture of the ruined and deserted city on 7 November 1917. Casualty Clearing Stations arrived later that month and General and Stationary hospitals in 1918 ... About two-thirds of the total [burials] were brought into the cemetery from the battlefields after the Armistice. The remainder were made by medical units after the Third Battle of Gaza, or, in some cases, represent reburials from the battlefields by the troops who captured the city.' (www.cwgc.org)
The war memorial in St Pauls Church, Carlton, incorrectly gives Mark's date of death as 6th July 1919. CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'For ever with the Lord' Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 30th October 1919 : - “NEWTON. – In sacred memory our dear son and brother, Mark, died of dysentery, Gaza, Palestine, October 30th, 1918. A faithful son, a brother kind, beautiful memories left behind. – Sadly missed by his mother, brothers, sisters.” Above notice courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Probate: Newton Mark of 479 Main-street Carlton Nottinghamshire private in HM Army died 30 October 1918 at Gaza Palestine Administration Nottingham 16 May to Jane Newton widow. Effects £211 15s. 9d.
