Lieutenant Colonel James Ernest Newland

Service number 2, 2354
Ranks Held Captain, Lieutenant Colonel, Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, Private
Birth Date 1881-08-22
Birth Place Australia: Victoria, Highton
Death Date 1949-03-19
Death Place Australia: Victoria, Melbourne, Caulfield
Final Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Service Australian Imperial Force
Units
  • 12th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 4th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse
Places
Conflicts/Operations
  • First World War, 1914-1918
  • South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War)
Gazettes Biographical information They dared mightily. in 1963
Published in London Gazette in 1917-01-04
Published in London Gazette in 1917-06-08
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1917-06-29
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1917-10-04
Description

James Newland was born at Highton, Victoria. He served in the Boer War before becoming a regular soldier. In August 1914 he transferred to the AIF. He took part in the Gallipoli landing; he was soon wounded and evacuated and, later that year, commissioned. In 1916 he went to France as battalion adjutant, and was Mentioned in Despatches at Pozières.

Newland was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on three occasions over 7-9 April, and 15 April 1917. Near Boursies and Lagnicourt, France, he led strong attacks and repelled enemy counter-attacks. "It was [his] tenacity and disregard for his own safety that encouraged the men to hold out." In early May, Newland was again wounded.

Returning to Australia, Newland served in the army until 1941. He worked briefly for the Red Cross then joined the inspection staff at Footscray Ammunition Factory, Melbourne, until his death in 1949.

As well as the Victoria Cross Newland received service medals for the Boer War and First and Second World Wars, the King George VI Coronation Medal, and long and meritorious service medals. The oak leaf denotes that Newland was Mentioned in Despatches.

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 22 August 1881
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 1899 Served with the 4 Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse (VIC) in South Africa as a Private - service number 2354.
Date of enlistment 17 August 1914
Other 22 August 1914 Transferred to AIF and joined 12 Battalion.
Date of embarkation 20 October 1914
Date wounded 1915-05 Wounded at Gallipoli.
Date promoted 22 May 1915 Appointed 2nd Lieutenant.
Date promoted 1915-10 Appointed Lieutenant.
Date of recommendation honour or award 07 September 1916
Date of recommendation honour or award 06 October 1916
Date of recommendation honour or award 19 January 1917
Date of honour or award 1917-04-08 - 1917-04-15 Awarded Victoria Cross for action at West of Boursies and Lagnicourt, France whilst serving with 12 Battalion, 3 Brigade, 1 Division as a Captain.
Date of recommendation honour or award 18 April 1917
Date returned to Australia 21 July 1917
Date of death 19 March 1949