Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Chief Engineer Officer J. E. Newton, Merchant Navy, late Royal Naval Reserve, who died of shock and burns at sea while serving in the M.V. Riley in October 1942, aged 60 years

1914-15 Star (Wt. Eng. J. E. Newton, R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Ch. Wt. Eng. J. E. Newton, R.N.R.), good very fine and better (3) £60-80

James Edward Newton, was born in North Shields in October 1881, was appointed an Engineer Artificer in the Royal Naval Reserve in June 1909 and was advanced to Warrant Engineer in April 1911. Joining H.M.S. Erin a few weeks after the outbreak of hostilities, he remained similarly employed until removing to the P. 45 in January 1918, a period that witnessed his advancement to Chief Warrant Engineer in December 1916.

Also entitled to the L.S. & G.C. Medal, which he received at Swansea in December 1921, Newton was advanced to Engineer Lieutenant in June 1926 and placed on the Retired List as a Lieutenant-Commander (E.) in October 1931, a year after having added the Reserve Decoration to his accolades. Sadly, however, as verified by his service record and the Commonwealth War Graves Register, he died at sea as a result of shock and burns on 1 October 1942, while serving as Chief Engineer Officer in the M.V. Riley. He was 60 years of age and left a widow, Emma, of North Shields.

Sold with copied service record.