William Augustus Newark joined during WW I as a Private in the 20th London Regiment on 11th December 1915. On call up he was deployed to Belgium where he was part of the Flanders Offensive which began in May 1916. During the week long Battle of Messines ‎(7-14 June 1916)‎ he was hits by enemy fire and was left for dead. By nothing short of a miracle, he was found after several days barely alive with several gun shot wounds to his chest and abdomen. He was eventually transported back to the UK on the HMS St David in June 1917 and was admitted to Royal Victoria Hospital in Netley, Southampton. On 22 November 1917, he was operated on to remove ribs which were shattered by bullets and remove as much shrapnel as possible. He spent over a year in the hospital recuperating and was frequently visited by his wife Florrie and son Norman. He was eventually discharged on 20 December 1918. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Victory and British Medals.

Above left:  William (Will) Augustus Newark, 1916

Above centre:  William (Will) Augustus Newark, date unknown.

Above right:   A 1919 account of Messines. 

.

Below left:  William (Will) Augustus Newark is on the extreme left of the group, 1916. 

Below right:  Medal card for William Augustus Newark.