Private Richard Newton

Private Richard James Newton, 6th ( Service ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in France on 25th September 1915, aged 38, on the opening day of the Battle of Loos and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Dud Corner, Loos, France. He was the son of Richard and Isabella Newton of Roxburgh Street, Kelso. He fell in the disastrous attack towards Haisnes which foundered before the German strong points of ” Strong Point ” and ” Mad Point “.  The German wire was uncut, their machine guns not destroyed and the counter barrage was heavy. In a few minutes no ground was gained and the Battalion was practically destroyed with 600 casualties and every Officer either killed or wounded.. The first photo shows  depicts an actual attack with the troops disappearing into the clouds of gas and smoke. This was the first time in the War that the British Army had used gas. The second shows the village of Loos after capture. The artist’s nightmarish illustration shows an attack at Loos with the troops wearing their gas hoods and using primitive grenades.

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