Duncan Cenotaph – Charles Hoey Park

As part of our project to document the names on the Cenotaph in Charles Hoey Park, here is a page about Private Joseph Newnham, who died of wounds on 6 June 1916 while serving in France with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion.

He is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France

Here is the report of Joseph Newnham’s death in the local Cowichan Leader newspaper:

“Died Of Wounds

Pte. Joe Newnham (436148), Cobble Hill.

The recent heavy fighting in France is reflected in the above list [of casualties]. Pte. Newnham was reported wounded in June 10th list and as died of wounds in following day’s list. He joined the 88th Regiment and passed through the 62 Bn. to the Mounted Rifles. He had not long been at the front. Born in Staffordshire [U.K.], his boyhood was spent in the U.S.A. He reached Victoria twelve years ago. He was well known at Cobble Hill [B.C.]”

(Source: Cowichan Leader, 15 June 1916, from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)

Here are some websites with more information on Joseph Newnham:

Would you like to leave a comment or question about anything on this page?