John NEWTON

‘Burnley Express’ (11 May 1918)

(Kindly supplied by Robert S. Richardson)

OUR FALLEN HEROES

BANK CLERK KILLED

Burnley Widow’s Sad Loss

Mrs. Newton, of Rowley Cottage, Rowley, has sustained a severe blow by the death of the younger of her two sons. The eldest, Willie, has been serving three years with the R.A.M.C., and John, who was a lance-corporal in the M.G.C., lost his life in France on the night of April 26th.

The intimation was received by Mrs. Newton in the following letter written by Sergt. Norris on May 3rd:–“I am writing to you on behalf of my section to express our sympathy for you in the sad loss of your son and our comrade, who, I am sorry to say, has been killed in action. He was in my section for a long time, and I always found him a good, cheerful soldier, and can say he was a very good N.C.O. The men feel his loss very much. He was killed instantaneously by a shell splinter whilst firing his gun at our common enemy, the Hun. He died the glorious death of a soldier with his face to the enemy. This happened last Friday night about six o’clock. We managed to bury him and mark his grave with a cross, which was all we could do. I should like once again to express our deepest sympathy, and regret that such a nice lad as your son should be cut off so young.”

Lce.-Corpl. Newton, who was aged 22 years, was educated at the Burnley Grammar School, and was a clerk at the Bank of Liverpool. He enlisted on February 14th, 1917, and went to France in June. He was recently home on leave, and only went back on April 2nd. He attended Jireh Baptist Church.

‘Burnley Express’ (23 April 1919)

(Kindly supplied by Robert S. Richardson)

In Memoriam

NEWTON – In loving memory of my dear son, Lance-Corpl. John Newton, Machine Gun Corps, killed in action April 26th, 1918.

–From Mother and Brother Will (in France), Rowley Cottage, Burnley.