J.+W.+NEWTON

Newton, John William, Air Mechanic 1st Class, 3098, 15th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps Born Bakewell, Derbyshire Died 14th March 1916 aged 19 Son of Sarah Ann Newton, of Buxton Rd., Bakewell, Derbyshire, and the late George Henry Newton. Buried in Achiet le Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, III, K, 21/22

1911 Census An assistant cab proprietor Son of George Henry, a cab proprietor, and Sarah Ann Newton, of Mill Street, Bakewell, Derbyshire

John William Newton was the observer in the aeroplane BE2c, serial number 4153, with the pilot Second Lieutenant James Campbell Cunningham, aged 21, from Mendooran, New South Wales Australia. They were part of an escort/photographic patrol, taking photographs of the ground near Achiet le Grand and had left their airfield, Vert Garland at 10.40am on 14th March 1916. they were attacked at approximately 11.15am by Ltn Gustav Leffers of FA32 KEK, who was flying the Fokker EIII, serial number 84/15. He initially attacked the Photographic BE2c of Second Lieutenant C Danby and Second Lieutenant P F J Kent. Second Lieutenant James Campbell Cunningham and John William Newton went to their aid, which allowed Danby and Kent to escape. In the ensuing combat Cunningham and Newton were shot down, the aircraft crashing into the ground and bursting into flames and both were killed. This was Ltn Gustav Leffer's fourth victory of nine.

John and James were originally buried at Map Reference: 57c.B.25.b.4.7 and were reburied side by side in the Achiet le Grand Communal Cemetery Extension on 20th April 1921.






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