Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William James Leslie NEWELL

Military Medal

Recommendation:

'On 12th October 1917, East of YPRES, he displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. This soldier was employed as a Runner, between Battalion Headquarters and the front line, and did exceedingly good work carrying messages during most severe bombardment. On his return journey from the front line, he used to assist in carrying back wounded. His courage and cheerfulness in danger were an inspiration to others.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918

27 June 1918 on page 1393 at position 144

Thirty two men attempted to enlist at the Bendigo Town Hall on March 2nd 1916. Recruitment was at a peak as a Battalion from Bendigo (the 38th) had been promised and 32 year old Salesman from Rowan Street, William James Newell was not going to miss out. William’s younger brother Norman would enlist mid March, however, he would be assigned to the 60th Battalion.  

William would go into camp at the Racecourse however, in May the battalion would be moved to Broadmeadows following the outbreak of Meningitis. They would sail for war later in late June 1916.

News of William would reach Bendigo in January 1917 in camp in England. 

‘Private W. Newell, of Rowan Street, writing from Larkhill Camp, Salisbury Plains, to a friend, says: — ‘We have word that we leave here on Wednesday, and we are now all in a hurry and bustle getting ready to shift. We have been issued steel helmets, 130 rounds of cartridges, two blankets, and two gas helmets. We take them with us whenever we entrain; for Southampton. I expect it will be for a port in France.

Well, I only hope we do not see the trenches this side of Christmas, as we had our first sight of snow yesterday, and to-day it was about four inches deep. My word it was a pretty sight all over the camp, and I hope to gel a photo of it. We were all snowballing, and it was great fun. We will now start on our troublous times and plenty of work I believe we get over in France. I have not heard from Will Thomas lately, but I hope to hear any day. I had my five days in Scotland, and had a fine time, and was treated like a king. You ought to see us in our steel helmets. We look like Chinamen, and they say they use them for washing, drinking, and numerous other purposes. I see quite a few Bendigo lads are being put out of action, and I can see myself keeping my head down. We are having easy times these last few days, and getting issued with all sorts of equipment. The whole 3rd division go, and it will take some shifting.’[1]

Not quite none months later in September 1917 further correspondence from William to his former employer is published in the Bendigo press:

Pte. W. J. Newell, writing to Mr. J. Webster, of Messrs. F. and E. Slilwell's, says he is still alive and happy, but has plenty of hard work. Continuing, he said: "They seem to think that two at us did our share in the Messines stunt, as it was read out in orders of the day: 'The G.O.C. is pleased to place on record the following: — Pte. W. J. L. Newell, for conspicuous gallant conduct and meritorious good work in the Messines offensive, etc.' So you see some thought we did our part. I only did what dozens of others did just as well, if not more so." In conclusion he said: "I just rushed out of the 'bivy' (bivouac) in time to see one of our planes put down a Fritz, and he came down head over heels, our chap following to see he did not recover his balance, like one they thought had received his death blow a few days ago, but just managed to right himself and reach his lines."[2]

Despite William’s claim that he had been ‘Mentioned in Despatches’ for work at Messines no such entry can be found. William would enquire in writing following the war with Base Records Office only to be told no entry was on record.

William would however, be officially rewarded for bravery. This time at the First battle of Passchendaele on October 12, 1917 where his deeds were recognised by the awarding of the Military Medal.

SERVICE DETAILS: 

Regimental No. 485

Place of birth: Bendigo

School: Bendigo Central School No 1976, (Camp Hill)

Religion: Presbyterian

Occupation: Salesman

Address: 73 Rowan Street, Bendigo, Victoria

Marital status: Single

Age at enlistment: 32

Next of kin: Mother, Mrs Elizabeth Newell, 73 Rowan Street

Enlistment date: 2 March, 1916

Unit name: 38th Battalion, A Company

Embarked: HMAT A54 Runic on 20 June 1916

Final Rank: Lance Corporal

Fate: Returned to Australia 30 April 1919

Died: 1964, Age 80

'On 12th October 1917, East of YPRES

As a part of the continuing Third Battle of Ypres on the Western Front, Australian, New Zealand and British troops were involved in an unsuccessful attempt to seize the Passchendaele Ridge from the defending Germans on 12 October 1917. The vicious fighting took place in the most appalling of waterlogged conditions, which helped render the name Passchendaele a synonym for slaughter. The 3rd Australian Division's attempts to struggle forward to their objective with little artillery protection represented the last major Australian participation in the Third Battle of Ypres.[3]

The battalion historian Eric Fairey described the scene:-‘There was something terribly sinister and terrifying about the mud of the Ypres and Passchendaele battlefields. Men knew that if they fell wounded in one of the those gaping holes they stood little chance of being rescued, that they would probably be suffocated by the thick glutinous substance which gripped everything which touched it like the tentacles of giant octopus seizing upon it’s prey. And this is what actually happened to many a brave man- German as well as British.’ [4]

[1] The Bendigo Independent (Vic. : 1891 - 1918)  Wed 17 Jan 1917  Page 5 BENDIGO SOLDIER IN ENGLAND. 

[2] The Bendigo Independent (Vic. : 1891 - 1918)  Fri 7 Sep 1917  Page 5 MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES.
[3] Virtual War Memorial Australia Website https://vwma.org.au/explore/campaigns/28
[4] The 38th Battalion A.I.F By Eric Fairey. Published by the Bendigo Advertiser and Cambridge Press in 1920. Page 37.  

William's medals were donated to the collection of the Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo.

Medal set, court mounted, set of (3) Re W J L Newell "MM"/. .1) Military medal .2) War medal 1914 - 1919, replica not engraved. .3) Victory medal, replica not engraved.