Augustus Charles Newman
Lieutenant Colonel, Essex Regiment (attached to No. 2 Commando)
- Register No.
- 925 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant Colonel all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- Essex Regiment (attached to No. 2 Commando) all Essex Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 28 March 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 19th June 1945 on this day → all of 1945 →
- Born
- 19th August 1904 at Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Essex
- Died
- 26th April 1972 at Sandwich , Kent
- Memorial / grave
- at Boreham, Kent
Digest of citation
Lieutenant Colonel Newman was the officer in charge of the military force consisting of 44 officers and 224 other ranks. On the night of 27th/28th June 1942, he was one of the first ashor, leading his men, without regard for his own safety, in the attack on St Nazaire, France.. They had been detailed to land on occupied territory and destroy the dock installations of the German naval base there. His men were so inspired by his leadership that they fought valiantly and held off an enemy far superior in numbers, until the demolition crews had completed their tasks. Lieutenant Colonel Newman, and his men. tried to fight their way, through the enemy, into the open countryside. However,they were finally overwhelmed and taken prisoner, but not until all their ammunition had been exhausted
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
NEWMAN, Augustus Charles. (reg No. 925).
Lieutenant Colonel. Essex Regiment (attached to No. 2 Commando).
London Gazetted on 19th June 1945.
Born on 19th August 1904 at Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Essex.
Died on 26th April 1972 at Sandwich , Kent.
Memorial on grave at Boreham, Kent.
Digest of Citation reads: Lieutenant Colonel Newman was the officer in charge of the military force consisting of 44 officers and 224 other ranks. On the night of 27th/28th June 1942, he was one of the first ashor, leading his men, without regard for his own safety, in the attack on St Nazaire, France.. They had been detailed to land on occupied territory and destroy the dock installations of the German naval base there. His men were so inspired by his leadership that they fought valiantly and held off an enemy far superior in numbers, until the demolition crews had completed their tasks. Lieutenant Colonel Newman, and his men. tried to fight their way, through the enemy, into the open countryside. However,they were finally overwhelmed and taken prisoner, but not until all their ammunition had been exhausted.
Additional information:. Lieutenant Colonel Newman, also held the Order of the British Empire, (OBE) and the Territorial Decoration, (TD). His other decorations included the Légion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre of France. He became the Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Essex. He was a Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers (MICE) later, in 1957-58, becoming the Chairman of Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors. As he was taken prisoner, his Victoria Cross was not recorded in the London Gazette until the 19th June 1945.
Additional information
Lieutenant Colonel Newman, also held the Order of the British Empire, (OBE) and the Territorial Decoration, (TD). His other decorations included the Légion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre of France. He became the Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Essex. He was a Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers (MICE) later, in 1957-58, becoming the Chairman of Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors. As he was taken prisoner, his Victoria Cross was not recorded in the London Gazette until the 19th June 1945.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Boreham, Kent
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