Gazette 5/2/1919 - Probate and Administration in respect of Philip Newbold, late of Kisima Ruiru, European Farmer, who died while on active service in France on 13/7/1916. Applied for by Eric Schwartze barrister of Nairobi

CWGC Thiepval Memorial Aged 29, son of Eleanor I. Newbold, of Imberley Lodge, E. Grinstead, Sussex, and the late William Newbold. Ed. at Oriel Coll. Oxford, formerly of Kesima, Kenya Colony

Prior to going to EA, he was a professor of archaeology.

https://www.cwgc.org/stories/stories/second-lieutenant-philip-newbold-7th-battalion-royal-west-kent-regiment/  He was born 1887 at Tunbridge Wells, where he was baptised at St Marks on the on the 2nd of May, the son of William Newbold, Gentleman (1828 to 1900) and his wife Eleanor Isabel Ferguson (1861 to 1942). His residence being 7 Broadwater Down. The 1891 census finds him with his family at Broadwater Down, Frant. William aged 63 was a company director living on own means born at Coventry. Eleanor aged 29 was born in California. Children recorded, all born Tunbridge Wells are Ethel aged 8, Arthur aged 6, Angela aged 5, Philip aged 4, Geoffrey aged 2 and Kathleen, aged “0”. Family servants are Sarah Weston aged 25, born Enfield, aged 22, born Rotherfield, and sisters Annie Eldridge aged 22 and Ada aged 20 both born Battle. [Geoffrey died in 1898.]

In 1901, Philip was boarding at Uppingham School, Rutland.

Philip enlisted into the West Kent Yeomanry before transferring to the Royal West Kent Regiment. He was killed in action at Trones Wood on the Somme on the 13th of July 1916. [Soldiers died gives that he died on the 28th of September 1916.]

'The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment at Trones Wood' extracted from the Kings School, Canterbury Roll of Honour website:

'On the evening of the 12th July, 1916 the 7th Battalion took up positions on the southern edge of Trones Wood with the objective of clearing the remainder of the woods in advance of a major attack on the 14th. The woods were full of shattered trees and enemy strong points and the battalion had received its orders late on the 13th and had little time to prepare.

A three hour bombardment preceded the attack which began at 7pm. Support companies lost heavily in the German counter barrage but but good progress was made. German troops managed to re-enter the woods and re-occupy a strongpoint behind “B” Company, leaving elements of the battalion isolated and the situation precarious.

However at 6am the following morning the 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment rushed the woods, linked up with two groups of the West Kents and drove the Germans from the woods.' [A memorial was placed to the 18th Division to commemorate the hard fighting that took place there from July 1916 to late August 1918.]

The Oxford Gazette and Reading Chronicle for the 25th of August notes that Philip, initially reported as missing is now believed to have been killed in action on July the 13th.

The Kent and Sussex Courier for the 26th adds detail to his life. The paper notes that:

'He was educated at Uppingham where he was a foundation scholar. He was a scholar at Oriel College, Oxford where he took a first class in Classical Moderations in 1908 and obtained a diploma in Classical Archaeology with a distinction in Roman Classical Archaeology.'

The Courier lists his many distinctions and archaeological work. 'In 1911, he went to live in East Africa on account of his health, before returning home “to recruit” after two severe illnesses and enlisted in August 1914 into the West Kent Yeomanry as a Trooper.'

'He received a commission in the West Kent Regiment in 1915 and went to France “Last December”'. [He resided at Kesima, Kenya. His probate records him as of Kesima British East Africa and as a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant.] 'He was said to have died on or since the 17th of July 1916.'

His estate of £127 19/- 10d was administered to Charles Eric Rudolph Schwartze. He has no known grave and is remembered on Thiepval Memorial and in Tunbridge Wells Cemetery on the family grave

[Also inscribed are the names of Geoffrey 5th son of William and Eleanor Isabel Newbold 4th of October 1888 to 27th of June 1898. Also William Newbold of Broadwater Down, Tunbridge Wells, 11th of January 1828 to 16th of February 1900. Also Eleanor Isabel wife of William Newbold 3rd of October 1801 to 1842. Also their 7th son Sir Douglas Newbold KBE, 13th of August 1894 to 23rd March 1945 at Khartoum.]