Colonel LANCERAY ARTHUR NEWNHAM
Middlesex Regiment
Died 18 December 1943
Age 54 years old
- Secondary Unit, Regiment and British Army Aid Group
- Country of Service United Kingdom
- Awards George Cross, Military Cross, Twice Mentioned in Despatches
- Additional Info Son of Lt.-Col. Arthur Tristram H. Newnham and Ekaterina Newnham; husband of Phyllis Edith Newnham, of Downderry, Cornwall.
- Personal Inscription SHOT WHILST A PRISONER OF WAR FOR REFUSING TO BETRAY HIS COMRADES. TRUE TO THE END
- Additional Citation note
The following details are given in The London Gazette of April 18th, 1946: "Awarded the George Cross for most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner."
Lt. Col. Lanceray Newnham, together with Capt. Douglas Ford, Royal Scots, were executed by the Japanese whilst prisoners of war for their parts in successfully contacting secret agents and organsing escapes and other disruptions. They were arrested along with others and subjected to torture and starvation and sentenced to death in the hope of making them talk. They remained silent and were eventually executed. Both were posthumously awarded the George Cross for their bravery.
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