Ashtead War Memorials - WWI
Air Mech 2nd Class Thomas Archibald Clarence Arthur Newbury, RFC
The identity of this casualty had been confused because his death was not registered by the Commonwealth Graves Commission. His full name is found to have been Thomas Archibald Clarence Arthur Newbury, a son of Thomas David & 'Lizzie' Newbury of 29 Caen Wood Road, Ashtead.
Following the registration of his birth (at Horley) in Reigate 12/1897, he had been baptised in Holy Trinity Church, Horsham, son of ‘Lizzie Mary' (actually Isabella Marie), nee Daniels, and Thomas David Newbury on 2 August 1898.
In 1911 his family, including four siblings, are found enumerated at Rectory Cottage, Headley, Surrey. As a 'decorator' from 29 Caen Wood, Ashtead, however, Thomas, junior, volunteered at Leatherhead for 4 years before the Colours and 4 years reserve service with Royal Flying Corps on 27 April 1915. Being after the Royal Naval Air Service had been formed in July 1914, he was attested at Farnborough as an Air Mechanic, 2nd Class in the RFC Military Wing with an early Service Number 4906.
This recruit was 5 ft. 5.5 inches tall, chest measurement 30.5 inches, expansion 1.5 inches – Fair Complexion, Blue Eyes & Dark Brown Hair; Religion C of E.
After initial training he had embarked for France on 16 August1916 to join the British Expeditionary Force. On 30 September 1916 he endured 14 days Field Punishment No. 2 [the prisoner was placed in fetters and handcuffs but was not attached to a fixed object and was still able to march with his unit. This was a relatively tolerable punishment but the soldier was also subjected to hard labour and loss of pay].
On 17 December 1916 he reported sick with a history of pain in the left side of his chest, headaches and a cough, to be discharged to Base Detail Flight on 20 January 1917, before evacuation to England on SS Dieppe which had been requisitioned by the Royal Navy for use as a troopship and hospital ship. After admission to 4th General Hospital, Denmark Hill, on 15 February 1917 Thomas was discharged as unfit for further military service with effect from the following 25 June. He had been suffering from Bronchitis but was found to have an enlarged heart and an aortic systolic murmur.
Apparently Thomas subsequently applied for a disability pension having developed 'VDH' (Vascular Disease of the Heart), found probably to be of two years' duration - 'not caused but aggravated by stress or infection on active service'.
On 25 August 1917, he married Dorothy Alice Mabel Meier at St Giles Parish Church, Ashtead.
He died on 16 June1918 aged 21 in the Workhouse Infirmary, Epsom, reportedly succumbing to further infection, before interment in St Giles' graveyard five days later.
Thomas was awarded a Silver War Badge under King’s Regulations Paragraph 392 (xvi), because of his release on account of being permanently physically unfit as a result of sickness, disease or uncovered physical weakness. He also became entitled to the Victory and British War Medals but they were returned unclaimed.
His widow remarried, to Lucian Ivor Watts on 5 February 1922 (reg. Southwark 3/1922).
Although his burial is recorded in the Register at St Giles there is no record of a grave memorial (the note against the Register entry 208 states 481 4ft). His address in the Register of Burials was Caen Wood Road, Ashtead.
Links
Ashtead St Giles churchyardtext: Brian Bouchard: if you can add to this page please contact
the editor
original page added 16 Feb 2009, updated 28 Nov 2017: replaced as above
17 Apr 2023
It is understood that the lack of a CWGC record may be taken up with the CWGC.