Quick Facts
Biography
Lieutenant Colonel Augustus Charles Newman VC, OBE, TD, DL (19 August 1904 – 26 April 1972) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
Newman was educated at Bancroft's School, Essex. He was 37 years old and a lieutenant colonel in The Essex Regiment (Territorial Army), British Army, attached to No. 2 Commando during the Second World War, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the V.C.
On 28 March 1942 in the attack on St. Nazaire, France, Lieutenant Colonel Newman was in charge of the military forces and he was one of the first ashore, leading his men and directing operations quite regardless of his own safety. Under his inspiring leadership the troops fought magnificently and held vastly superior numbers of the enemy at bay until the demolition parties had done their work. The colonel then attempted to fight through into open country and not until all the ammunition was spent were he and his men overwhelmed and taken prisoner.
Subsequent career
Newman subsequently served in the Special Air Service and on 1 October 1959 was appointed Major in the Engineer and Railway Staff Corps.
His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.