Newton, Frederick William John

NEWTON,

ROBERT FRANCIS

BORN 1 JUNE 1893

Robert Francis Newton was

born 1 June 1893 in East Compton, Gloucestershire, the son of Marcellus Henry Newton, Gentleman, (b 1847 in Brunton, Herefordshire) and Emily Katharine Newton, (née Coopland, b 1866 in Alkborough, Lincolnshire). Marcellus and Emily were married in 1888 in Marylebone, London.

Robert had three brothers: Henry Monck (b 18 November 1889), John Bertram (b 11 June 1891 in Clifton, Bristol) and Clement Vaughan (b 13 April 1894 in East Compton, Gloucestershire). They all attended the school, Henry from 1903-1906, John from 1903-1907 and Clement from 1904-1910.

Robert entered the school on 4 May 1904, aged 10, and left on 8 April 1910, aged 16. At that time the family lived at 48 Cotham Road. In the 1891 census his father was recorded as a retired Land Agent.

Clement and Robert were both keen sportsmen and in 1910 gained Senior House Colours (Beames’ House). The photograph on page 60 taken in 1909 shows them as members of the School’s 1st XI cricket team (Reference July 1909 Chronicle).

As first team members the Chronicle records that Robert “has proved most useful both in batting and bowling. Must learn to lunge out with the left foot in playing forward. As a slow bowler should rely more upon his field”. Of Clement it was said, “Has a very smooth left-hand action and with coaching and practice ought to be a good slow bowler. Is good in the field and has made several very smart catches.”

Robert left somewhat unexpectedly on 8 April 1910, shortly before his 17th birthday, to join Lloyds Bank. He had studied a wide range of subjects including French and German and had clearly been a talented student in maths, technical drawing and science.

Henry, Robert and Clement all served in WWI. Henry served as a Lieutenant in the Cheshire Regiment. Later, whilst serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers, he was taken prisoner (21/03/1918) and later repatriated (17/12/1918).

Clement was a Captain in the Royal Sussex Regiment and was awarded the Military Cross. The entry in the London Gazette (14/08/17) reads, “His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the Military Cross in recognition of conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the field. After leading his company with great determination and courage to its objective, he showed skill and fearlessness in consolidating, personally leading out his covering parties and fearlessly exposing himself to machine-gun and rifle fire, in order to supervise and encourage the work. He held his line for four days, setting a fine example to his men.”

Robert joined the Royal Flying Corps rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant. As an observer in the 52nd Squadron, he saw action on the Western Front, flying with his pilot 2nd Lieutenant

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CONT. NEWTON,

ROBERT FRANCIS

BORN 1 JUNE 1893

Ernest David Jones (b 1899). Ernest was from Llanfaes, Brecon, attending Brecon Grammar School for boys before leaving to join Barclays Bank and subsequently going to war.

At 12.30pm on 2 April 1918, Robert and Ernest were on a bombing raid over enemy lines in their aircraft, an R.E. 8 (A3868), when they encountered Manfred von Richtfhofen (The Red Baron) flying his Fokker DR I (477/17). Robert (aged 24) and Ernest (aged 19) were shot down over Hill 104, North East of Moreuil in France.

Both men died though their bodies were not recovered. In von Richthofen’s own combat report there is a full account of the air action in which he commends the bravery of his adversary. This was von Richthofen’s 75th victory out of 80. Only 19 days later von Richthofen was shot down and died on 21 April 1918, (aged 25). Both Robert Newton and Ernest Jones are remembered with Honour at the Arras Flying Services Memorial.

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Robert is on the top row, second from the left and Clement is on the top row second from the right.

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