| Accession Number | P02939.014 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white, Portrait |
| Physical description | Black & white, Portrait |
| Date made | c 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Outdoor portrait of Captain (Capt) James Ernest Newland VC, A Company, 12th Battalion. Capt ...
Description
Outdoor portrait of Captain (Capt) James Ernest Newland VC, A Company, 12th Battalion. Capt Newland was awarded the Victoria Cross for "most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in the face of heavy odds, on three separate occasions" on 7 - 9 April at Bapaume-Cambrai Road and 15 April 1917 at Lagnicourt, France. Capt Newland organised and led a bombing attack on an important objective, rallying his company which had suffered heavy casualties. The next night the enemy launched a counter attack, which Capt Newland was able to disperse and regain the position. Later on 15 April, he organised his company to launch a counter attack on the enemy which had overpowered D Company to his left and restored the line. Capt Newland was wounded three times before returning to Australia in 1918 where he continued to serve as an officer of the Permanent Forces, being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in November 1935, retiring on 22 August 1941. He died on 19 March 1948. Capt Newland was the oldest member of the AIF to be awarded the Victoria Cross, he was thirty five. Note that he has three wound stripes on his left sleeve.