Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Greaves Newham, a chimney sweep, born 1854 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and his wife Ellen Newham (nee Street, married in the 1st quarter of 1878 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1859 in Hoxton, Middlesex. Bernard Newham was born in the 3rd quarter of 1895 in Melton Mowbray and was baptised on the 11th August 1895 in the parish church, Melton Mowbray, his siblings were, Lewis, an apprentice chimney sweep, born 1885, Fred Beagley, an ironmonger’s errand boy, born 1886, Edward, born 1887 and Sidney Frank, born 1889, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 42, Norman Street, Melton Mowbray. In the 3rd quarter of 1906 in the Melton Mowbray district, Bernard’s father died age 52. In April 1911 Bernard was employed as an errand boy and was residing in the family home at 42, Norman Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Lewis, a chimney sweep and Sidney, a chimney sweep. Bernard had two older brothers, William Street, born 26th November 1878 and Archibald Matthias, born 1881, both were born in Melton Mowbray. Bernard was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 7 Sep-18 – PRONVILLE. Wagon lines moved to D.1.a & c Reference 57c NE 1.20.000.
5.30pm. Barrage fired Appendix VI.
Orders received for 300 rounds a gun & echelons full to be maintained.
S.O.S. lines as in Appendix VII.
Captain PURCELL, ARMY VETERINERARY CORPS wounded at duty.
527 Battery ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY casualties.
149556, Gunner DENNETT, G., killed.
149454, Driver NEWHAM, B., killed.
Wounded. 77075, Bombardier STANTON, R. 89099, Bombardier COOK, F. L. 106766, Driver BAXTER. 15457, Driver DISMON. 11524, Driver EVISS, W. 129475, Driver HARRISS, F. J. 211174, Driver KING, J. 126027, Driver LAMB, J. 661524, Driver VAIR. 261431, Driver VALE. 213877, Driver WESTON.
On Friday October 4th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED. On Monday Mrs. W. Newham, 40, Norman-st., Melton Mowbray, received a notification from the War Office that her son, Driver Bernard Newham, Royal Field Artillery, was killed in action on Sept. 7th. Deceased was 23 years of age, and before joining the colours two years last May he was employed by Mr. Hollingshead, butcher. He went out to Mesopotamia in January 1917, and was transferred to France last March.