Augustus Charles Newman

Augustus Charles Newman VC, OBE, TD (19 August 1904-26 April 1972) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Augustus Newman was educated at Bancroft's School, Essex. He was 37 years old and a lieutenant colonel in the The Essex Regiment, British Army, attached to No. 2 Commando during the Second World War, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the V.C.

On 28 March 1942 in the attack on St. Nazaire, France, Lieutenant Colonel Newman was in charge of the military forces and he was one of the first ashore, leading his men and directing operations quite regardless of his own safety. Under his inspiring leadership the troops fought magnificently and held vastly superior numbers of the enemy at bay until the demolition parties had done their work. The colonel then attempted to fight through into open country and not until all the ammunition was spent were he and his men overwhelmed and taken prisoner.

Honours

* Victoria Cross
* Officer Of The British Empire
* Chevalier Légion d'Honneur (France)
* Croix de Guerre (France)

References

*British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*The Sapper VCs (Gerald Napier, 1998)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/kent.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Kent)"
* [http://www.ships.co.uk/royalnavy/destroy/ww2/class/stnazair.htm HMS Campbeltown and the Raid on St. Nazaire] "(detailed description of the action)"