Sapper, later Acting Serjeant, Royal Engineers Field Company on the Western Front

Holder's personal details and details of service:

Harold Sidney Newton
Military Year: 1914-1920
Rank: Acting Sergeant
Medal Awarded: British War Medal and Victory Medal
Regiment or Corps: Royal Engineers
Regimental Number: 154765
Previous Units: Royal Engineers. 154765. Spr.

Born 1893.
Resident Old Hill, Knipston, Grantham. Joiner with Holland, Hamnett and Cubitt.
Enlisted 22 January 1916.
Posted for duty at Grantham 10 March 1916, grade A.
Entered theatre of war (France & Flanders) 15 May 1916 as a Sapper with 96th Field Company, RE, attached to the 20th (Light) Division.
10% (later graded 30%) disability from Neurasthenia/nervous disability, weak back & shellshock dating from 15 January 1918.
Admitted to hospital, Etaples. Discharged 11th Casualty Clearing Station 7 March 1918.
241st Artizan Works Company on discharge (1919).
Member of the Ancient Order of Foresters.

Actions of the 20th (Light) Division:

The division was in action on the Somme in the Battles of Delville Wood, Guillemont, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battle of Langemarck, the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, the Battle of Polygon Wood and the Cambrai operations.

Medal condition:

Very fine with some darkening. Short length of modern ribbon.