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22123 Sgt Newnham 3 years 9 months ago #70504

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Afternoon everyone
I was hoping to find further information on QTR MASTER SGT J Newham 22123
Anything guys would be great thank you

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22123 Sgt Newnham 3 years 9 months ago #70505

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Welcome st1970.

You are setting us a challenge this afternoon.

James Newnham served in the REs, A Pontoon Troop, earning QSA with clasps CC Tr RoL TH and LN and the KSA with 2 clasps from the Bridging battalion.

MID Buller 30 Mar 1900. Awarded DCM. LG 9 Apr 1901.

There are lots of accounts of the work of the REs in spanning and repairing bridges across South Africa.

He was born in 1866 in Godshill, Hampshire. Service papers are available from the National Archives or at cost from FindMyPast.
Dr David Biggins

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22123 Sgt Newnham 3 years 9 months ago #70506

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There are a couple of applicable photos from his working environment here: www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/im...al-engineers?start=1
Dr David Biggins

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22123 Sgt Newnham 3 years 9 months ago #70507

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Thank you very much
It states on here he received a DCM is this correct
Thanks again

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22123 Sgt Newnham 3 years 9 months ago #70508

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Yes, that's correct.
Dr David Biggins

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22123 Sgt Newnham 3 years 9 months ago #70509

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His MID and likely the cause of the DCM: "22123 Troop-Quarter-Master-Sergeant J. Newnham, 22864 Sergeant S. Grist, and 22442 Corporal J. Wilson, “A” Pontoon Troop. – Conspicuous bravery and coolness when laying and working at pontoon bridge under fire on several occasions, specially at Munger’s Drift on 5th February (1900)”.

Munger’s Drift was the pontoon crossing of the Tugela River opposite the Doorn Kloof Ridge and the Boer artillery emplacements at Vaal Krantz. After an initial period of quiet the Boers began to pour a “hot and terrible fire from their rifles and a machine gun” onto the British troops. The Royal Engineers, from the very nature of their work, could take no cover.

Sergeant Grist's medals are described here.
Dr David Biggins

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