| ...enlistment when he deployed to Jamaica on 27 December, 1878. He transferred to the 10th Brigade, Royal Artillery with the rank of Gunner on the same day he shipped out. On 1 April, 1882 he transferred again this time to the 1st Field Brigade, Royal Artillery. Newman was appointed Lance Bombardier on 1 December, 1883. He was promoted to Bombardier on 16 June, 1884 and formally extended his service to complete 12 years on 3 July, 1884. On 30 January, 1885 Newman was shown awaiting trail for an unspecified charge and was convicted and reduced to Gunner on 4 February, 1885 also forfeiting his Good Conduct Pay. Having his Good Conduct Pay restored in 1886 Newman was reappointed Lance Bombardier on 27 July, 1886, Promoted again on 1 April, 1887 to Bombardier he received the additional promotion to Corporal on 6 December, 1887. He transferred to the 18th Brigade, R.A. as a Corporal on 1 July, 1889 and reengaged at Shoeburyness Barracks to complete 21 years service on 25 August, 1890. Edgar Newman was transferred to the Royal Artillery Volunteers as a Sergeant on 13 April 1891 although the precise unit is not clear on his service records. His final posting was with the permanent Staff of the 1st Argyll and Bute Volunteer Artillery. He received his final promotion to Company Sergeant Major on 3 December, 1899. Company Sergeant Major Edgar James Newman was discharged on 21 January, 1901 with a total of 22 years 50 days of service on his record. Newman’s home and foreign service deployments where as follows: Home: 3 December, 1878 – 26 December, 1878 Jamaica: 27 December, 1878 – 12 November, 1880 Malta: 13 November, 1880 – 2 August, 1882 Egypt: 3 August, 1882 – 13 October, 1882 Malta: 14 October, 1882 – 25 November, 1886 Home: 26 November, 1886 – 21 January, 1901 |
| Above: Bombardier Edgar James Newman of the Royal Artillery wearing his 1882 Egyptian Campaign Medal and Khedive's Star. This photo may have been taken close to Newman's wedding day in 1887. Carte de Visite Grossman - Photographer Dover, England c. 1887 |
For his service in Egypt Newman was entitled to the 1882
Egypt Medal (no clasp) and the Khedive’s Star. In Egypt
Newman was attached to the 1st Field Brigade, R.A.
While serving at home Edgar James Newman married for a
second time at Dover on 16 May, 1887 with his wife’s name
being Elise Ruth Scott. This union seems to have proved
happier that his first marriage producing at least four
children – Eva Emily Florence Newman born on 21 February,
1889, Edgar Charles Newman born on 10 June, 1891 and
Ernest Cecil Newman born on 31 March 1893.
In the 1901 Census for County of London, City of
Westminster there is an entry for a Commissionaire by the
name of Edgar J. Newman age 46 of Falmouth, Cornwall. This
would seem to be the same man as the above mentioned
Edgar James Newman. No family is listed as living with him
at this time. The 1901 Scottish Census for Rothway lists Elise
R Newman, born in France, as living as head of household
with her three children, Eva Emily, Edgar Charles and Ernest
Cecil. It seems likely then that upon his final retirement
from the Volunteers in 1891 that Newman took a posting with
the Corps of Commissionaires and at the time of the 1901
census had yet to send for his family to join him in the south.
Egypt Medal (no clasp) and the Khedive’s Star. In Egypt
Newman was attached to the 1st Field Brigade, R.A.
While serving at home Edgar James Newman married for a
second time at Dover on 16 May, 1887 with his wife’s name
being Elise Ruth Scott. This union seems to have proved
happier that his first marriage producing at least four
children – Eva Emily Florence Newman born on 21 February,
1889, Edgar Charles Newman born on 10 June, 1891 and
Ernest Cecil Newman born on 31 March 1893.
In the 1901 Census for County of London, City of
Westminster there is an entry for a Commissionaire by the
name of Edgar J. Newman age 46 of Falmouth, Cornwall. This
would seem to be the same man as the above mentioned
Edgar James Newman. No family is listed as living with him
at this time. The 1901 Scottish Census for Rothway lists Elise
R Newman, born in France, as living as head of household
with her three children, Eva Emily, Edgar Charles and Ernest
Cecil. It seems likely then that upon his final retirement
from the Volunteers in 1891 that Newman took a posting with
the Corps of Commissionaires and at the time of the 1901
census had yet to send for his family to join him in the south.
| Right: The wedding photo of Edgar James Newman and Elise Ruth Scott. They were married at Holy Trinity Church at Dover on 16 May, 1887. In this photo Newman's two Long Service & Good Conduct stripes are visible on his left cuff. Carte de Visite Lambert Weston & Son - Photographer Dover, England 16 May, 1887 |
| Left: Corporal Edgar James Newman and Elise Ruth with one of their newborn children - possibly their daughter Eva Emily Florence Newman. This photo dates from 1889 or after since Newman has by this time been promoted Corporal. Elise Ruth's name is given with several variations including Elsi, Eliza and Elise. Elise is the from used twice in Edgar James Newman's service records and this version is used herein. She was born in France being the daughter of Mr. Charles Scott. Cabinet Photograph (trimmed) Unknown - Photographer Dover, England 1889 or later |
| Above: I believe this woman to be Newman's unnamed mother-in-law. The photo was probably taken about the same time as the wedding. Carte de Visite Lambert Weston & Son - Photographer Dover, England c. 1887 |
| Above: Newman's mother-in-law and her younger daughter Georgina Florence Scott. Carte de Visite R. Stead - Photographer Richmond Road, Wickenham, England c. 1887 |
| Above: Edgar James Newman dressed for what appears to be a game of cricket poses for a photographer in Londonderry some time around 1893 after the birth of his youngest son Ernest Cecil Newman who is held on the lap of his wife Elise Ruth. Newman hold his eldest son Edgar Charles in front of him. Both sons are wearing dresses as was the custom of the time. The tall girl standing center in probably Newman's sister-in-law Georgina Florence Scott who was listed as living with the family in the 1891 Census. The woman seated to the right is unidentified. Cabinet Photograph Ulster Photographic Studio - Photographer Carlisle Road, Londonderry, Ireland c. 1894 |
| Above: Edgar James Newman in later life with his seemingly ever present walrus-like mustache. This photograph may have been taken sometime after Newman's final discharge from the Argyll & Bute Volunteer Artillery in January, 1901. Cabinet Photograph Unknown - Photographer Unknown Location - Great Britain post 1901 |