Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Biography -
- Keith George Newnham -

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY PRESS

Saturday, October 21, 1939 Page 7

LOSS OF THE BATTLESHIP ROYAL OAK.

15 ISLANDERS DROWNED, 8 SAVED.

The sinking of the battleship Royal Oak by a German submarine was announced by the Admiralty on Saturday, and on Tuesday it was revealed in the House of Commons that she was sunk while at anchor at Scapa Flow. The Royal Oak, which was commissioned at Portsmouth in June, and was a Great War ship which fought at Jutland, had a complement of about 1200, of whom only 414 were saved. Among those who were missing and have since been reported as presumed drowned, were, as far as we have been able to ascertain, 15 gallant Island men, and eight others were among those saved.
On behalf of their fellow Islanders, we tender to the bereaved relatives profound sympathy in having to bear this, the heaviest blow which has yet fallen in Island homes as the result of the war. The following are brief particulars and photos of Island men who have made the great sacrifice, and of those who survived the disaster:

[...]

Keith Newnham, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Newnham, of Vectis, Waltham Cross, and grandson of Mr. W.J. Newnham, of the Appuldurcombe and Undercliff Dairies.

ST CATHERINE'S PARISH MAGAZINE

November, 1939

THE VICAR'S LETTER
THE VICARAGE, VENTNOR
November 1, 1939
MY DEAR FRIENDS,
The outbreak of war is affecting our parish life in many ways. The call has come to a good many of our young men to face the stern realities of war, and they are being followed with anxious concern and prayers. They will we fear, be followed by many others, called to face duty and danger, but each will be eager to give a good account of himself. It has been a grief to many that one of our old choir boys, Keith Newnham, perished in the Royal Oak, and G.F. Rogerson was killed on the Mohawk. Keith was a fine lad, a favourite with everybody, and we sympathise much with his home people. And also with Mrs. Rogerson, left with her infant son. These are but the tragedies of war. - Then as we watch the many convoys of ships that pass our Island on their way to France we are reminded how very many homes are giving up the flower of our land to face the horrors of war. It is a terrible sacrifice that is being made, and we pray that it may not be in vain.

With very kind regards,
Your sincere Friend and Vicar,
L. KNYVETT MORTON
(not all of the letter has been transcribed)

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, April 26, 1968 Page 1

Death of Former Well-known Farmer
MR. W. J. NEWNHAM
A member of the former well-known farming and dairyman family, Mr. William James Newnham, of Highbury, Clarence Road, Wroxall, died on Tuesday, aged seventy.
Mr. Newnham, who was born at Wroxall, farmed at Cross and Appuldurcombe; represented Wroxall on Ventnor Council from 1947 to 1950; and was Worshipful Master of Yarborough Lodge of Freemasons in 1945. He also held provincial honours.
Cremation is taking place at Whippingham today, the Rev. M. Bourne (Vicar of Wroxall) officiating.