Eight: Regimental Sergeant Major R. M. Newsham, Durban Light Infantry, late British South Africa Police and Natal Rangers

British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, no clasp (Troop’r R. M. Newsham. B.S.A. Police.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (484 Serjt. R. M, Newsham. Durban L.I.); Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906 (Rgt. Sgt. Maj. R. M. Newsham, Natal Rangers.); 1914-15 Star (Clr. Sjt. R. M. Newsham 1st Infantry); British War Medal 1914-20 (2nd C/W.O. R. M. Newsham. B.D.C.); Bilingual Victory Medal 1914-19 (2nd C/W.O. R. M. Newsham. 1st Infantry.); Coronation 1911, unnamed as issued; Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, G.V.R. (No F.2347. Col. Sgt. R. M. Newsham. 1st Infy. (D.L.I.)) contact marks and edge bruising, especially to the first three, overall very fine and better (8) £800-£1,000

Reginald Medland Newsham was born circa. 1872 near Wisbech, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire. A coachbuilder by trade, he emigrated to South Africa where he served as Trooper No. 138 in the British South Africa Police in Rhodesia in 1896 and in 1897. On 1 November 1897 he enlisted in the Colonial Auxiliary Forces, to the Durban Light Infantry. He was promoted Corporal in 1898, Sergeant in 1899, and Colour Sergeant in 1904. During the 1906 Natal Rebellion he served in the Natal Rangers, attaining the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major.

At the outbreak of the Great War Newsham was employed by the South African Railways as a coachbuilder and aged 44 attested for service with his old regiment the Durban Light Infantry, until he was discharged and recalled to his civilian duties in the Carriage Department of the South African Railways, in July 1918, having served as Provost Sergeant and Company Sergeant Major. He was awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal in March 1918.

His discharge papers confirm service with the Base Depot Company, prior to his discharge, being the unit named on his British War Medal.
With copied research, including medal roll pages, Great War copy attestation and discharge papers, recommendation and approval letters for the Long Service Medal.