Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
William attended the Church School and worshipped at St John the Baptist Church in Hugglescote. He was also a prominent member Hugglescote’s Church Lad’s Brigade and used to sing at the parochial concerts. After leaving school he gained employment with the Midland Meat Company of Coalville. William enlisted during the first week of the war in the 1st/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, and after training embarked for France in February 1915, being wounded in the fighting at Ypres in August of the same year, After his recovery he was transferred to the 9th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, and was killed in action at Polygon Wood. The War Diary entry for the 31st October 1917 records. TRENCHES. Battalion commenced to move back to reserve at ZILLEBEKE RAILWAY DUGOUTS at 6.30pm. Relief very slow owing to heavy gas shell barrage between POLYGON WOOD and CHATEAU WOOD. Relieved by 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. Casualties during the month, officers killed 5, wounded 7, one officer since died of wounds, total 12. Other ranks killed 50, wounded 213, missing 38, total 301.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday November 30th, 1917.

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Mr and Mrs Newbold, of 50, North Street, Hugglescote, received official news on Saturday morning that their son, Private William Newbold, of the Leicesters was killed in action on October 31st. Prior to enlisting in September, 1914, he was employed by the Midland Meat Co., at Coalville. He had been in France since February, 1915 and was wounded in August of the same year. He was a prominent member of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade and used to sing at the parochial concerts. The Commanding Officer, writing to the deceased’s relatives says, “I should like to take this opportunity of saying how highly we all thought of him, and what a really good soldier he was. He was certainly one of the staunchest and most valuable men of my company, and I offer my deepest sympathy, and that of his comrades.”

Coalville Times article - Friday November 30th, 1917.

THANKS

Mr and Mrs Newbold, 50, North Street, Hugglescote, wish to thank all friends for kind expressions of sympathy towards them in their great bereavement through the loss of their beloved son, Private W. Newbold, 9th Leicesters, killed in action October 31st, 1917.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 1st, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private William Newbold, 9th Leicesters, who fell in action, October 31st, 1917, aged 23 years.

“A loving son and brother dear
The fatal blow, it came severe
His loving smile and welcome face
No one on earth can fill his place.”

From his loving Mother, Father, and Brothers.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 31st, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of my dear brother, William Newbold, 9th Leicestershire Regiment, who fell in action, 31st October, 1918.

“Earth has lost, but Heaven has found.”

From his affectionate brother “Jim.”
174, Albany Street, London, N.W.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 7th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. William Newbold, who fell in action, October 31, 1917. Aged 23.

“There is a link Death cannot sever;
Love and Remembrance last for ever.”

From Mother, Father and Brothers

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby. 29/12/2017.