Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Newby, a framework knitter, born 1859 in Seagrave, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Jane Newby (nee Marlow, married in the 1st quarter of 1901 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born 1864 in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire. Francis Newby was born in the 2nd quarter of 1894 in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Henry, a concrete slab maker, born 1881 in Leicestershire, George, a general labourer, born 1884 and William, an elastic weaver, born 1887, the latter two siblings were both born in Quorn, Leicestershire. Albert, born 1889, Arthur, born 1891 and Herbert, born 1892, the latter three siblings were all born in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at South Street, Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire. In the 4th quarter of 1899 Francis’s mother Sarah Ann Newby, died aged 40 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district. In the 4th quarter of 1908, Francis’s stepmother died aged 44 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district. In April 1911 Francis was absent from the family home at King Street, Sileby, Leicestershire, residing there was his widowed father, a glove trade worker, and his siblings Mabel, a schoolgirl, born 1902 and Elsie, born 1905, both his siblings were born in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, Francis was employed as a general labourer and was residing at 54, Queens Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, this being the family home of his brother George, a storekeeper, and his wife Florence Maud Newby (nee, Heighton, married in the 3rd quarter of 1909 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district) born 1887 in Quorn, Leicestershire and their son George Reginald, born 1910 in Quorn. Francis married Kate Mary Rowley on the 24th May 1915 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, after which they resided at the home of his wifes mother at South View, Frolesworth, near Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Francis had four brothers on active service at the time of his death, Sergeant William Newby, and Private Albert Newby who was wounded, both serving with the Leicestershire Regiment, Private Arthur Newby who is presently at the front, and Private Herbert Newby who is in Egypt. Francis enlisted into the Army on a Short Service enagagement for the duration of the war on the 27th February 1915 in Leicester. He gave his place of residence as Industry Square, Barrow on Soar and his age as 20 years and 283 days, he gave his trade or calling as heel builder. He gave his father, William Newby of Industry Square, Barrow on Soar as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 9½ inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches. He gave his religion as Baptist. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Royal Scots at Glencorse as a Private, service number 20807 on the 2/3/15. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Royal Scots on the 4/3/15. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 21/6/15. Killed in action near Ypres, Belgium on the 19/7/15. The following information was provided on the 8th July 1919 by Francis’s widow Kate on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family). Widow of soldier, Kate Mary Newby, c/o Mrs Rowley, Frolesworth, Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Children of soldier, none. Father of soldier, William Newby of Industry Square, Barrow on Soar, Nr. Loughborough. Mother of soldier, none. Full blood brothers of soldier, George Newby of 54, Queen’s Road, Loughborough, William Newby of 96, Russell Street, Loughborough, Arthur Newby and Albert Newby of 31, Cassic Lane, Sutton in Ashfield, Notts., Herbert Newby of Mill Lane, Edwinstowe, Near Newark, Notts. Full blood sisters of soldier, Mabel Newby and Elsie Newby, both of Industry Square, Barrow on Soar, Near Loughborough. Nephews and Nieces of soldier, Regie Newby of 54, Queen’s Road, Loughborough.
On Friday July 30th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – BARROW-ON-SOAR SOLDIER KILLED. News has reached Barrow of the death of Private Frank Newby, of the 5th Battalion Royal Scots, who was killed in action on July 19th in Belgium. Private Newby was one of five brothers serving their country, one of whom has been severely wounded. He was only recently married, and much sympathy is felt for his wife and his father, Mr. W. Newby, of Industry Square, Barrow.