A First War Memorial Cross for Ancre Heights 1916

A First War Memorial Cross for Ancre Heights 1916 - (219523 L/CPL. G.W. NEWIS). Naming is officially engraved. Very crisp detail, light contact, better than very fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, case fine. Accompanied by a CD containing nine pages with copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Medical Report and Military Will.  Footnote: George Wolsley Newis was born on January 6, 1893 in Somerset, England. He signed his Attestation Paper with the 80th Infantry Battalion, on September 17, 1915 in Brockville, Ontario, naming his mother, Hester Mary Newis of Martock, Somersetshire, England, as his next-of-kin, later having it changed and naming his wife, Mrs. George (Jeannie) Newis of Kingston, Glasgow, Scotland (later Brockville, Ontario) as his next-of-kin. He also stated that he had no previous military service, that he was not married, later changing it to a "yes" and that his trade was that of Locomotive Fireman with the Grand Truck Railway. The Battalion was was raised in Eastern Ontario under the authority of G.O. 103A, August 15, 1915. The mobilization headquarters was at Barriefield, Ontario. The Battalion embarked Canada on May 16, 1916 aboard the S.S. Baltic, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W.G. Ketcheson with a strength of 35 officers and 1,041 other ranks, arriving in England on May 30th. Two weeks later, on June 13, 1916, Newis was transferred to the 74th Infantry Battalion at Borden, and again transferred after more five weeks to the 54th Infantry Battalion, on July 18th. He was named Lance Corporal on August 8, 1916 at Bramshott and proceeded overseas for service in the French theatre five days later, onAugust 13th, disembarking at LeHavre on the 14th. Newis was wounded in action at the Battle of the Ancre Heights, one of the conflicts composing the Battle of the Somme. He was admitted to Canadian Corps No. 23 General Hospital at Etaples, France on October 26, 1916, listed as "seriously ill", suffering from gun shot wounds to his right knee and left testicle, along with a compound fracture of his right clavicle, dying of his wounds two days later, on October 28th. In his Military Will, he stated that "I, G.W. Newis, hereby bequeath all my personal Estate to my wife Mrs. Jean. A. Newis, of 73 Cedar Street, Brockville Ontario Canada". His widow Mrs. George (Jeannie) Newis of Brockville, Ontario, later remarried and moved to Toronto as Mrs. Jeannie Martin. Both she and his mother received his Memorial Cross.