Augustus Charles Newman

Newman was educated at Bancroft's School, Essex. On leaving school he joined a firm of Civil Engineering and Public Works Contractors and was commissioned into the part-time Territorial Army in 1925, rising to the rank of major by 1939.[1]

He was 37 years old and a lieutenant colonel in The Essex Regiment, British Army, attached to No. 2 Commando during the Second World War, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the V.C.

On 28 March 1942 in the attack on St. Nazaire, France, Lieutenant Colonel Newman was in charge of the military forces and he was one of the first ashore, leading his men and directing operations quite regardless of his own safety. Under his inspiring leadership the troops fought magnificently and held vastly superior numbers of the enemy at bay until the demolition parties had done their work. The colonel then attempted to fight through into open country and not until all the ammunition was spent were he and his men overwhelmed and taken prisoner.[2]

After the Second World War Newman continued in the Territorial Army, subsequently serving in the Special Air Service. He served as Deputy Lieutenant (DL) of Essex, 1946 to 1948.[1] On 1 October 1959 he was appointed Major in the Engineer and Railway Staff Corps.[3]

His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.[4]

• British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• The Sapper VCs (Gerald Napier, 1998)

• Location of grave and VC medal (Kent)
• HMS Campbeltown and the Raid on St. Nazaire (detailed description of the action)
• Career Profile