Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

1 Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment, British Army

Awarded on:

December 31st, 1942

Citation:
"On the 14th June 1942, Pte Newman, a member of the intelligence section, had been posted together with another man, in an advanced O.P. on an exposed ridge about one mile outside the Battalion perimeter, south of ACROMA. During the day, the Battalion was heavily attacked by tanks and lorried infantry supported by artillery. Throughout the morning Pte. Newman kept Battalion H.Q. very accurately informed of the enemy dispositions on our front, at a time when the situation was very vague. In the face of heavy shell fire the two soldiers remained to man their exposed position, maintaining the telephone-line, which was continually being severed; and even when the enemy tanks had passed over their O.P. Pte. Newman continued to telephone through information, until 1230 Hrs when the last message recieved was that six tanks were over his post, one 30 yards away, and he feared that the telephone line would reveal his hide-out. Nothing is known as to what finally occured to the men manning the O.P. after this, their last message. For his devotion to duty and courageous behaviour in continuing to remain at his post when it had been completely surrounded by the enemy. Pte. Newman is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal."