The AIF Project

James Ernest NEWLAND

Regimental number2
Place of birthGeelong, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSoldier
AddressHazeldene, Sheffield, Tasmania
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation33
Height5' 9"
Weight175 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs Florence May Newlands, Hazeldene, Sheffield, Tasmania
Previous military servicePreviously served in South Africa (6 months); Royal Australian Artillery, Victoria, for 4.25 years; Instructional Staff at time of AIF enlistment.
Enlistment date17 August 1914
Place of enlistmentPontville, Tasmania
Rank on enlistmentRegimental Quarter Master Sergeant
Unit name12th Battalion, Headquarters
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/29/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Hobart, Tasmania, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on 20 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollCaptain
Unit from Nominal Roll12th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 29890 (2 January 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103 (29 June 1917).

FateReturned to Australia 21 July 1917
Medals

Victoria Cross

'For most conspicuous bravery, and devotion to duty, in the face of heavy odds, on three separate occasions. On the first occasion he organized the attack by his company on a most important objective, and led personally, under heavy fire, a bombing attack. He then rallied his company, which had suffered heavy casualties, and he was one of the first to reach the objective. On the following night his company, holding the captured position, was heavily counter attacked. By personal exertion, utter disregard of fire, and judicious use of reserves, he succeeded in dispersing the enemy and regaining the position. On a subsequent occasion, when the company on his left was overpowered, and his own company attacked from the rear, he drove off a combined attack which had developed from these directions. These attacks were renewed three or four times, and it was Captain Newland's tenacity and disregard for his own safety that encouraged the men to hold out. The stand made by this officer was of the greatest importance, and produced far reaching results.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 169
Date: 4 October 1917

Discharge date2 March 1918
Family/military connectionsBrother: [656] 2nd Lt Alfred Lindsay NEWLAND, 15th Bn, killed in action, 8 November 1916.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Wounded in action, Gallipoli, 25-28 April 1915 (gun shot wound, arm); admitted to 1st General Hospital; rejoined unit, 26 May 1915.

Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, 2 June 1915. Transferred to take charge of transport, Alexandria, 9 June 1915. Promoted Lieutenant, Gallipoli, 15 October 1915. Taken on strength, Transport Details, Maadi, 3 November 1915. Admitted to 2nd Australian General Hospital, Ghezireh, 13 November 1915 9dengue fever); discharged to unit, 23 November 1915.

Promoted Captain, 1 March 1916; Adjutant, 15 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 29 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 5 April 1916.

Admitted to 38th Casualty Clearing Station, 4 December 1916 (pyrexia, unknown origin); transferred to 2nd General Hospital, Havre, 6 December 1916; discharged to duty, 12 December 1916; rejoined Bn, 18 December 1916.

Attached for duty to 2nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters, 18 December 1916.

Mentioned in Despatches.

On leave, 21 January 1917.

Wounded in action, 26 February 1917 (gun shot wound, face: slight); admitted to 1st Australian Field Ambulance, 27 February 1917; transferred to 7th Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, 1 March 1917; discharged to Base Details, 5 March 1917; taken on strength, 1st Australian Division Base Depot, Etaples, 7 March 1917; rejoined unit, 25 March 1917.

Wounded in action, 6 May 1917 (gun shot wound, left armpit, and admitted to 5th Field Ambulance; transferred same day to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station; to No 1 Red Cross Hospital, Le Touquet, 7 May 1917; transferred to England, 15 May 1917).

Awarded Victoria Cross.

Commenced return to Australia, 21 July 1917; disembarked Melbourne, 18 September 1917, for onward travel to Tasmania; discharged, 2 March 1918 (medically unfit).

Medals: Victoria Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death19 March 1949

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