Notes
The Bradford Grammar School website (see References) states: 'Charles Allan Newby was born on 14th April 1894 and baptised a Methodist. His great grandfather William Newby, formerly a partner in a wool spinning company, established himself as a fishmonger and supplier of game and poultry in the 1850s. Three of his sons were employed in the family
business. The Bradford company was run successively by William’s eldest son George, his
grandson Charles, and then by Charles Allan’s younger brother William Clifford Newby. The
Bradford premises of George Newby and Co. Ltd. on 2 Tyrrel Street survived until they closed in 1974. Charles Allan’s mother Amelia, known as Minnie, was the daughter of Ezra Bingham, a cashier.
Charles Allan Newby attended BGS from 1903 to 1909. He drew the attention of ”The Bradfordian” in 1908 for his performance in the Pinks’ victorious 2nd XV against the Reds in the House competition, and again when he came second in History in Form IV Modern lower. He spent his final school year at Sedbergh Grammar School where “he made many friends” and “his early departure was much regretted” when he left to “prepare for a career in business” (“The Sedberghian”). This “business career” was in the family company, and the 1911 census duly lists him as a trainee fish monger. It is possible that he subsequently rejected a career in the fish trade as he was later described as being in the Bradford wool trade.
Prior to the outbreak of war many Old Bradfordians joined the 6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, part of the Territorial Army, for social and recreational reasons. It is not known whether Newby was already a “Saturday night soldier” or a volunteer when war broke out in August 1914. He served with many other BGS OBs in ‘C’ Company. His Sedburgh obituary notes “The quiet and retiring disposition which led him of his own choice to serve in the ranks rather than seek a Commission [as an officer] was equally marked at School.”
The 6th was despatched to Flanders on 15th April 1915 as part of 49th West Riding Division.
They moved into the Ypres Salient in early July, where they went into the line just north of the city. They rotated between holding the front line trenches at Turco Farm, in support on the bank of the Yser canal and reserve at Trois Tours Chateau. The began a six-day tour in the front line on 18th August during which they lost four men killed. The 19th was a trying day. “The Sedberghian” heard that Newby “met his death by the explosion of the first shell of a long and heavy bombardment.” The 49th Divisional artillery could do little to reply since shells were few, a ration of three shells per gun per day, so French support was welcome as “No one seemed to enjoy loosing off ammunition more than French gunners” (Tempest).
Newby was buried near St Jean, about two miles from Ypres, but the location of his grave was lost and his name is remembered on the Menin Gate, Ypres (Ieper), Belgium.'