Private 18664 John William Newell

Died Home on Friday, 6th May 1921, age 43.
Buried in Grave B. "C." 269. at Tipton Cemetery, Staffordshire, United Kingdom.

3rd Bn., King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

Husband of Mrs Hannah Newell.
Born: Walsall, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Tipton.

Never served abroad.
Medal entitlement: No medal entitlement.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives survived and transcribed.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because his grave was found in Tipton Cemetery.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/395352/

Genealogical Data

1891 Census
323 Dudley Port, Tipton, Staffs.
Joseph Newell (39, Railway Porter, born West Bromwich), his wife Martha (39, born Sedgley), and their 5 children: Richard (17, Dairyman, born Bloxwich), Joseph (15, Brickyard Labourer, born Walsall), John (13, born Walsall), Thomas (12, born Walsall), and Alice (9, born Walsall).

1901 Census
Martin Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Joseph Newell (49, Railway Foreman Porter, born West Bromwich), his wife Martha (48, born Stourbridge), and their 2 children: Alice (18, Tailoress, born Walsall), and David (9, born Tipton).
I cannot trace John Newell in 1901, it is possible that he was abroad serving with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

1911 Census
43 Wellington Road, Tipton, Staffs.
John Newell (33, Carter, born Walsall), his wife Hannah (26, born Pensnett), and 2 of their 3 children: Ada (3, born Tipton), and Fanny (2, born Tipton). Their eldest daugher, Alice, was staying with John's parents at 47 Martin Road, Tipton.

Death of John W Newell registered June quarter 1921 in Dudley, age 43.

Personal Data

John Newell attested with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry on 19th July 1915 at Tipton. His documents say that he enlisted for "Garrison Service at home or abroad", he was already a time-expired soldier of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. He was aged 37 years and 141 days, 5 feet 8 inches tall with a 38-inch chest, and employed as a Carter. He lived at 34 Wellington Road, Tipton with his wife Hannah and their five children: Alice Maria (born 1905), Ada May (born 1907), Fanny (born 1909), Joseph William (born 1912), and Annie (born 1914).

Action resulting in his death

John joined the K.S.L.I. Depot at Shrewsbury, did not serve abroad, and was discharged as "unfit for military service" on 23rd July 1916. Some five years later, on the 6th May 1921, he died. Entitlement to a Commonwealth War Graves headstone arises either from death in service, or death resulting from that service. John Newell has a Commonwealth War Graves headstone, so it would appear that his death could be attributed to his 12 months service in 1915 and 1916. He is buried in Tipton Cemetery.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.