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Auction: 23113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 474

Pair: 2nd Lieutenant D. H. C. Newth, Royal Air Force

British War and Victory Medals (2/Lieut. D. H. C. Newth. R.A.F.) good very fine (2)

Douglas Homewood Challenger Newth was born on 7 January 1893. His R.A.F. Officer's record records he was commissioned into the Royal Flying Corps as an Administrative Officer from the 6th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry. He first served with HQ 7th Wing from 24 August 1917, 62 Training Squadron 31 August 1917, 104 Squadron (no date recorded), 7th Balloon Wing 14 January 1918, "C" Brigade Royal Flying Corps 19 January 1918, 6th Brigade Royal Flying Corps 18 March 1918, Home Establishment 6 August 1918. From 1 September 1918 he was employed as Adjutant to the various RFC/RAF units.

He was removed from the Royal Air Force on 30 January 1919 (London Gazette 25 February 1919 page 2742). He married Ethel Young in Marylebone, London in 1917. However Newth appears to have associated himself with some dubious characters, The Globe Newspaper on 27 May 1919, page 1, under West End Hotel Raid records how Newth was arrested with three others for "frequenting an hotel for an unlawful purpose". Remanded in custody for a week, one of the males arrested was Theophilus James Metcalf who confessed to being a Captain in the Guards and was thought to be an AIF deserter, he protested he had gone to Australia in 1913 but not enlisted, he was also charged with theft but this later not proven in court. The second man was Frank Milton who stated he was an actor residing at Kensington Palace Hotel. A lady was also arrested but released on bail. Westminster Magistrates later dismissed the charges as unproven but Newth was fined £25 for registering at the hotel and using the identity of a Major Stockton. When arrested Newth had told police-

"Can't you let me out of this? I was going to join the R.A.F. and proceed to Russia. I know I am here with a hot lot, but believe me, I am acting straight now. I am not a Major. My name is not Stockton".

Comment: This appears to have been a confidence trickster gang.

On 20 April 1921 Newth is recorded as residing at 24 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York, U.S.A.. On 20 May 1940 he applied to join the R.A.F.V.R. but appears not to have been accepted, his address at the time was 31 Craven Terrace, Hyde Park, London W2.

Newth died on 20 October 1952.

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Sold for
£85

Starting price
£50