Four: Paymaster Lieutenant-Commander R. E. Newnham, Royal Naval Reserve

1914-15 Star (Asst. Payr. R. E. Newham, R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Payr. S. Lt. R. E. Newnham, R.N.R.) note variation in surname; Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, G.V.R., unnamed, hallmarks for London 1918, extremely fine (4) £200-250

Reginald Edwin Newnham was born in Portsea, Hampshire in 1893. Employed pre-war as a Bank Clerk, he was commissioned as a Temporary Assistant Paymaster in July 1915, serving with H.M.S. Victory at Portsmouth. In August 1915 he was posted as Secretary’s Clerk to Admiral Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee of the 4th Battle Squadron, serving on H.M. Ships Benbow and Hercules and seeing service at the battle of Jutland.

In August 1917 Newnham took a course at R.N.A.S. (Kite Balloon Station) at Rowhampton for a Kite Balloon Observer. During the course he was involved in an accident when his balloon made a rapid descent in high winds from 6,000 feet - causing the crew to be thrown from it during the heavy landing. The accident caused Newnham several injuries and disabilities and led to a lengthy fight with the authorities for compensation and pension benefits which continued into the 1920’s. Newnham received his Certificate of Demobilisation in February 1920. In September 1926 he was placed on the Retirement List with the rank of Paymaster Lieutenant-Commander R.N.R.

With a number of original papers, including: Commission Document appointing him Assistant Paymaster, R.N.R., dated 28 July 1915; another appointing him Paymaster Lieutenant, R.N.R., dated 9 February 1922; document of appointment as Assistant Paymaster R.N.R. for temporary service on board the Benbow, August 1915; Statement of Services during the War; Certificate of Demobilisation; Naval Prize Fund slip, August 1922; Pensions Appeal Tribunal document; Pensions Appeal Tribunal papers, January 1925; newspaper clippings re. his appointments; several other letters re appointments and other papers. Also with some copied research and the original named card box for the British War and Victory Medals.