Newman, Albert: Service no. 189789

The Windsor Record. April 19, 1918. Source: British Home Children Who Died in the First World War

FORMER TILBURYITE SUCCUMBS TO WOUNDS
Albert Newman, Barnardo Home Boy Dies in Canadian Hospital Foster Father Hears.
Elmer Hornick, of Quinn, is in receipt of an official notice from the Barnardo Boy’s Home, that Albert Newman, a former ward of that institution, whom he adopted, had died of wounds in a Canadian hospital Boulogne, France. The young man enlisted a year ago in the 186th battalion, George Billings was officially advised this week his son, Pte. Fred Billings, of the 186th battalion, had suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. The young man enlisted with the 186th Kents, a year ago.
The Windsor Record. April 19, 1918. Page 2.

Summary of Service for Private Albert Newman, reg. no. 189789

Date	Event	Remarks
April 9, 1898	Born Matfield Green, Kent, England	His attestation papers have some curious elements: 1. Place of birth is listed with his probable real place of birth. Many British Home Children simply listed London, England as their place of birth. 2. He lists his residence as a Barnardo Home located in Toronto. Given that he attested in Chatham, Ontario this detail is interesting but not very illuminating. Private Newman arrived in Canada in 1907 so he probably was placed in a home before that time. Perhaps he had recently returned to Toronto and then was assigned a new family to stay with. A news article upon his death indicates he was living with Elmer Hornick, of Quinn, Ontario when he enlisted.
1907	Arrives in Canada.	Travels via the S.S. Dominion.
January 3, 1916	Enlisted in 91^st Battalion.	Enlisted in St. Thomas, Ontario and was living with Elmer Hornick of Quinn, Ontario. Quinn, Ontario is approximately 140 kilometers from St. Thomas. Chatham, Ontario is closer to Quinn and it is uncertain as to why Private Newman did not enlist in Chatham. He enlists at the age of 18.
February 28, 1916	Transferred to the 186^th Overseas Battalion.	Clean record. No demerits or other notations on his card.
February 28, 1916 or 1917	Fills out Will	Leaves his estate to a Ms. Flora Sambell of Chatham, Ontario. The witnesses appear to be a R.H. Small of Listowel, Ontario and a G. Vickerman of Tilbury, Ontario. The will was most likely generated in 1917 as it was common to do this before the unit shipped out for England. Vickerman: Most likely Glenn Zebedea Vickerman, reg. no. 189426 of Tilbury, Ontario. Small: Most likely Rolland Henry Small, reg. no. 189483 of Teeswater.
February 28, 1916 to April 7, 1917	186^th Battalion – Canada	Two notations for infractions. January 24, 1917, 2 Days CB and February 22, 1917, 5 days CB.
March 25, 1917	Embarks for England	Via the S.S. Lapland
April 4, 1917	Arrives Liverpool, England	Assigned to “C” Segregation Camp, Bramshott, England and then assigned to the 4^th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
September 6, 1917	Proceeds overseas for assignment with the 18^th Battalion.	After more advanced training, Private Newman leaves for the Continent and active military service.
September 7, 1917	Arrives at Canadian Infantry Base Depot, Etaples, France.	More training and acclimation.
September 27, 1917	Arrives Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp	Villers Aus Bois, France. Near Ypres, Belgium.
November 11, 1917	Joins the 18^th Battalion in the field.	POTIJZE CAMP near Ypres, Belgium. In battalion reserve. The 18^th Battalion had had an arduous time of service in the line.
April 4, 1918	Wounded and Dies of Wounds	Wounded and transferred to a Casualty Clearing Station. After assessment of his wounds he was transferred to the No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital. “Died of Wounds.” (Gun shot Wounds, Right Shoulder.) No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Doullens, France.
April 4, 1918	18^th Battalion War Diary Summary	The Battalion relived the 21^st Battalion in the Neuville Vitasse sector on the night of April 1 and 2. C Company was positioned in the right flank and D Company left flank. B Company was left close support (in a rear position – reserve) and A in right support. The Battalion found the trenches in a bad state. There were no covered dugouts or shelter and, though this was generally against regulations, funk holes (holes cut into the side of the trench that held 1 or 2 men) were fashioned for shelter. Erratic enemy shelling caused 31 wounded in action and 3 other ranks killed. Communication with Brigade was good with some outages and at night runners were used for company communications. During the day it was very dangerous for runners. April 3, 1918 found considerable enemy activity in Neuville Vitasse and active Canadian artillery in response. A scouting patrol was engaged by an enemy machine gun with 2 scouts wounded. The 18^th Battalion maintained active night patrols (usually in no mans land) along their entire frontage. April 4, 1918: “During night of 3 / 4 A Coy [company] frontage (Right Support) was heavily shelled and barraged from 1 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. a considerable number of gas shells being involved in this shelling. Our artillery retaliated with a barrage of heavies [large caliber guns] on enemy front and support lines. A patrol penetrated enemy front lines and reported trenches unoccupied with the exception of on MG [machine gun] LIEUT. R.E. LAWRANCE and 7 o.r.s. [other ranks] were wounded during enemy shelling. 2 o.r.s. killed in action.
Circa April 1918 – 21	Interred	Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1, France. Plot VI. E. 51.
Forever	Remembered for his sacrifice.