On Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France is the name of 19415 Private Joseph Warden Newby serving with the 2nd Battalion  Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment who died 01/07/1916.

He was the son of Mary Ellen Newby, of 18.5, Livingstone Street, South Shields, and the late W. N. Newby

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Joseph Warden Newby, one of 12 children of whom only 5 had survived by 1911, was the eldest of his siblings. His father, bricklayer William Nicholson Newby born October 12th 1878 married Mary Ellen Young born 1877 in their home town of South Shields, March 5th 1898. In 1901 they were living at 14, Livingstone Street, South Shields, Joseph born August 9th 1898 was 2 years old, his new born brother William, 2 months old. By 1911 their home address and the employment of his father were unchanged and a further 6 children had been born, Mary March 22nd 1902, Elizabeth Ann Ramsey October 3rd 1904, Frances Isabella December 31st 1906, Georgina Young 1909, Thomas Henderson December 21st 1911 and Henry Young Newby, March 6th 1914 just prior to the declaration of war.

England declared a state of war existed with Germany on August 4th 1914, Joseph Warden was only 16 years of age and working at Backworth Colliery. Not only did his father William join up but he also attempted to enlist, probably in early 1915, at South Shields, telling an untruth as regards his age stating he was over 18. Having succeed in his deception he was assigned as Private 19415 to the Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment. After a period of training, considered to be 19 years of age and eligible for overseas service, he departed for the Western Front and posted to the 2nd Battalion, 21st Brigade, 30th Division, of the Regular Army. The Division had moved south from Belgium to the Somme and saw action at the opening Battle of Albert, July 1st-13th 1916.

Private Newby was declared as missing, his mother desperately attempted to have news of him by posting a notice in the Newcastle Journal 23/09/1916 whilst the Army conducted their own enquiries as to his whereabouts. Private 19415 Joseph Warden Newby was struck off strength and declared, presumed to have died on or since, July 1st 1916. The Newcastle Journal 07/06/1917 reported his death. Joseph was only 18 years of age.

His sacrifice is recorded as one of over 72,000 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France commemorating servicemen from Britain and South Africa who perished on the Somme before March 20th 1918 and who have no known grave.

As Joseph’s sole beneficiary his mother Mary Ellen received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 18.5 Livingstone Street, South Shields.

The grief of losing her son was compounded in 1918 with the death of her husband Sapper William Nicholson Newby whilst serving on the Ypres salient in Belgium. William must have returned to England on leave as Mary Ellen gave birth to a son, June 25th 1919, whom she named Joseph Warden Newby in remembrance of his brother.

Mary remarried at South Shields in 1921 to James Sharp (1880-1954), Mary Ellen Sharp-Newby nee Young died at South Shields, September 30th 1958, aged 81 years.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Joseph Warden Newby is remembered at South Shields on S86.053 and S86.124