Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Ebenezer James Newton, a yardman, born 1874 in Knipton, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Newton (nee Winn, married in the 2nd quarter of 1896 in the Grantham, Lincolnshire district), born 1876 in Hertingfordbury, Hertfordshire. William James, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1896 in Knipton, he had one sibling, Frederick Arthur, born 1897 in Knipton, in March 1901 William was residing at the Nurses Home, Knipton, this being the family home of his paternal Grandfather, William Newton, a nursery foreman, born 1844 in Harston, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Newton, born 1839 in Knipton. In April 1911 William was employed as an errand boy and was residing in the family home at Knipton, together with his father a joiner’s labourer, his mother and siblings Frederick, an estate employee and Evelyn Sophia, a schoolgirl, born 22nd July 1901 in Knipton. William was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 1 July-16 – In Trenches opposite OVILLERS. Everybody was in their position by 3.30am and the wire along the whole of our front reported cut by 2.30am 2nd Lieutenant OLD and a few men got wounded doing this, and Lieutenant ROSS’ party had trouble owing to continual hostile machine gun fire. Brigade was checked at 5.30am.
6.25am. The intensive bombardment commenced to which the enemy retaliated on our front line and assembly trenches with high explosive shrapnel.
7.25. Companies started to move forward from their assembly positions preparatory to the assault. The three assaulting Companies getting their 1st two waves out into no man’s land, and their 3rd and 4th waves out at Zero hour. These arrangements were carried out most excellently, no hitch occurring, but casualties were fairly heavy from machine gun fire. The support Company got into our front line trench but suffered a lot of casualties from shell fire.
7.30am. As soon as the barrage lifted the whole assaulted. They were met with very severe rifle fire and in most cases had to advance in rushes and return fire. This fire seemed to come from the German second line, and the machine gun fire from our left. On reaching the German front line they found it strongly held and were met with showers of bombs, but after a very hard fight about 200 yards of German line was taken about 7.50am, the extreme right failing to get in and also the extreme left where there appeared to be a gap of about 70 yards although bits of platoons of the 70th Brigade joined them. The support Company by this time joined in. The few officers that were left gallantly led their men over the German trench to attack the second line but owing to the rifle and machine gun fire could not push on. Attempts were made to consolidate and make blocks but the trench was so badly knocked about that very little cover was obtainable from the enfilade machine gun fire and continual bombing attacks which were being made by the enemy the whole time, and one frontal attack from their second line which we repulsed.
9.00am. This isolated position became untenable, no supports being able to reach us owing to the intense rifle and machine gun fire. Our left being driven back the remainder which by now only held about 100 yards, had to withdraw. On reaching our own line all the men that could be collected were formed up and used to push on again but the heavy machine gun and rifle fire made the ground quite impassable.
1.00pm. Orders were received from the Brigade to withdraw to RIBBLE and MELLING STREETS and occupy the assembly dugouts there which was done.
12 Mid-night. We were relieved by the 6th WEST KENTS and proceeded to LONG VALLEY.
Other Ranks, 26 killed, 303 wounded, 89 missing, 25 wounded and missing.
Officers present with the Battalion: Lieutenant Colonel D. BASTARD, D.S.O. Captain R. B. LESLIE, Captain W. G. F. WISEMAN (wounded and missing), Captain J. H. JENDWINE (missing), Captain B. L. NEEDHAM (killed), Captain F. K. GRIFFITH, Lieutenant B. G. WOODCOCK (wounded), Lieutenant D. S. ROSS (missing), Lieutenant H. H. SHEARMAN (died of wounds), Lieutenant H. E. SOWERBY (wounded), Lieutenant J. H. TOOLS (wounded and missing), Lieutenant H. G. CLIFFORD (wounded and missing), Lieutenant J. SHELLEY (wounded), 2nd Lieutenant G. W. H. APPLINE (killed), 2nd Lieutenant A. W. OLD (wounded), 2nd Lieutenant S. N. CARTER (wounded), 2nd Lieutenant J. ANSTEE (killed), 2nd Lieutenant P. H. GATES (wounded), 2nd Lieutenant C. C. W. MEYER (died of wounds), 2nd Lieutenant L. O. SHARP (killed), 2nd Lieutenant E. A. JENNETT (wounded), 2nd Lieutenant S. T. STEVENS (wounded), Captain W. Fotheringham (Medical Officer), 2nd Lieutenant K. M. J. FERGUSON (with 25th Trench Mortar Battery), 2nd Lieutenant J. D. DRYSDALE (with Brigade Bombers), The following were left with Regimental Transport in reserve:- Major W. N. PITT, 2nd Lieutenant H. INGOLDBY, 2nd Lieutenant G. M. F. WREFORD, 2nd Lieutenant C. W. SPICER, 2nd Lieutenant W. A. BARTLETT, 2nd Lieutenant W. I. S. RAWSON, 2nd Lieutenant E. T. OWEN, 2nd Lieutenant G. A. F. GRANTHAM. Major E. W. SHUMER (Quartermaster), Lieutenant F. F. DAVIS (Transport Officer), 2nd Lieutenant W. I. DAVIS (with 179th Tunnelling Company).
On Friday August 4th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – KNIPTON CASUALTIES. The news has been received that Pte. C. Wing, of the East Yorks. Regt. (a native of Knipton) has been seriously wounded and is in hospital in Birmingham. A bullet penetrated the left side, and emerged just above the breast. He is progressing satisfactorily. Mr. E. J. Newton of Knipton has been informed of the death of his son Lance Corpl. W. J. Newton of the Lincolns, whose officer wrote as follows:- “Dear Sir, - I regret to inform you that your son, Lance-Corpl. W. J. Newton was reported killed in action on July 1st. He was an efficient N.C.O., and a good soldier. He died doing his duty faithfully and bravely. It may be a relief to you to know his death was sudden and without pain. Offering you the sympathy of all his officers and comrades, I remain yours sincerely, E. T. Owen 2nd Lieut.” Lance-Cpl. Newton enlisted on September 3rd 1914 at Alford. After training he proceeded to France, and spent Whitsun-day, 1915 as his first day in the trenches.