Category Archives: Regiments

Reginald Newport

Alfred Sutton School War Memorial, Army, Other Regiments, Ypres

Reginald Newport
Signaller 20221
3rd (later 7th) Battalion Worcester Regiment

Newport R photo Newport R name

Reginald Newport was the son of Tom and Caroline Newport, of 13 Grange Avenue.  The 1911 census indicates that he had two older brothers Albert and Ernest and an uncle Henry living in the family home. Father Tom was recorded as a wood saw sharpener at a timber merchants, Henry was a carpenter, brother Albert an apprentice to a motor engineer and Ernest a plumbers assistant. Reginald then 13 was still at school. Pictures of the brothers has been obtained from Berkshire and the War but it has not been possible to find any further details about their military service.

 NEWPORT A NEWPORT ERNEST

Reginald was last seen on 26th April 1918 and was reported missing.  Parents were often desperate to find out where and how their sons had died and frequently had requests for information published in the papers.  Reginald Newport’s  mother was still seeking information about his end in a brief article published in the Standard October 18th 1919, his picture was published on page 7 of the same paper:

 “203221 Sig. R. Newport – 7th Worcestershire Regt. Reported missing on April 26th 1918, now assumed to be dead.  If any returned soldier knows anything concerning his end, would they kindly communicate with Mrs. Newport 13 Grange Avenue.”

In March 1918 the Germans began what was known as the “Spring Offensive”.  Beginning with a long bombardment and using specially trained storm troopers the attack began with increasingly ferocious trench raids followed by Operation Michael which was aimed at the junction between the French and British Armies on the Somme.  This was followed by Operation Georgette, along the River Lys.  By 11th April Armentieres was evacuated and Haig issued this famous speech to his men “…..Every position must be held to the last man: there must be no retirement.  With our backs to the wall….each one of us must fight to the end.”   On the 15th April the bloodily won ridge of Passchendaele was evacuated and the British divisions withdrew to a line around Ypres which approximated to that of 1915.  The British were below full complement and the new men, replacing those lost in Third Ypres, were young and incompletely trained, although they fought bravely.  On the 20th April there was a massive gas bombardment of the British line followed up by a further bombardment on the French on the 25th April.  The Germans moved seven divisions forward and the British fell back to Dickebusch Lake.  Whilst the French took the major force of the attack the British eventually were able to hold their positions.  On the 29th April the Germans renewed their attack but it failed.  The Second Battle of Lys was over.  Losses were heavy 76,300 British and 35,000 French.  (German casualties amounted to 109,300).  Among the British losses was Reginald Newport.

Reginald Newport has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing panels 75/77. Reginald Newport died aged 20 years.

Annie Neishe & Alfred William Neishe

Army, Commemorated name/s, Nurse, Other Regiments, Registered War Grave

Annie Neishe
V.A.D. Nurse

Division 80
Extension

CIMG2148

 

Annie Neishe  was the daughter of William and Jane Neishe, of “Elem”, Pilford Heath, Wimbourne, Dorset. The 1911 census indicates that Annie, then 24, was  domestic nurse. Her father was a gardener and her brother, then 17, was working in the gardens. The home address is given as The Gardens, Iwerne Minster, Blandford. In 1901 William Neishe was recorded as the Head Gardener at Caldy Manor in Cheshire. The family had moved around the country. The second daughter Minnie is recorded in the 1901 census. A further child had died. Upon Jane’s death in 1932 Minnie was the sole beneficary of her estate.

Annie’s is a registered war grave with a private memorial.  She is buried with her mother.  The headstone bears a commemoration to her brother and father.  Grave number 16489.

Annie died on 18th October 1918, aged 32.  The circumstances of her death are unknown.  There was a serious influenza epidemic at the time.  VAD nurses also worked very hard and for long hours, in a compromised state of health they  frequently  succumbed to illness.

 

Alfred William Neishe
Private 9764
5th Wiltshire Regiment

 Alfred William Neishe was the son of William and Jane Neishe and the brother of Annie.  He is commemorated on the headstone of Annie and her mothers grave.  He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 10th August 1915.  There had been very vicious fighting since the allied landing on 6th August, in conditions of intense heat.  On the 10 August a Turkish counter attack on Chunuk Bair almost succeeded. Alfred Neish may well have been involved in these actions. The 5th Wiltshires incured heavy losses on 10 August. Alfred has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial to the Missing, Panel 156-158. Reading.

William Frederick George Neate

Army, Registered War Grave, Royal Berkshire Regiment

William Frederick George Neate
Pte. 9932
6th Royal Berkshire Regt.

Division 21

CIMG2093

William Neate was the husband  of Jessie Neate of 2, Red Lion Cottages, Harrow.  He had three children Albert, William and Lilian. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Neate. Access to Ancestry UK indicates a detailed set of service records including his original attestation papers when he enlisted at the age of 18 years in 1889. At that time he gave his trade as a baker. He served in Malta, Burmuda and Halifax Nova Scotia.

William Neate was born in Stoke Row, Oxfordshire. He served 12 years in the Royal Berkshire Regiment and was then part of the National Reserve force. In civilian life he held a number of  labouring positions.  On 24 August 1914 he attested for war special service, he was four days short of his 42 birthday. On 9 September he wastransferred to the 6th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment and on 25 July 1915 the unit was post to France. He was discharged from the army on 17 August 1916 as no longer fit for war service.

He died on 21st February 1919 aged 47 years. The circumstance of the death of William Neate  are not known.

His grave number is 21. 4661 and is marked with a CWGC war pattern headstone.