大象传媒

A "Gentle Man" are the two words I use to describe Sammy Newton because he was gentle but a very private man almost secrative about his involvement in World War 2, it was a thing of the past and he just wanted to get on with his life and the future. When I first got to know him I found out that he had been wounded during the War but how and where were a bit of a secret. I used to press him now and again on the subject if there happened to be a documentary or film on the telly concerning the War but I was greeted with the usual silence.
To me Sammy was a typical 40s/50s type of man, a bit old fashioned and a bit reluctant to move with the times, he was the man of the house, the bread winner and the little lady had to be at home doing the cleaning, cooking and keeping house, he was a typical member of the "Flat Cap" brigade who went out a couple of times a week for a couple of pints (probably more), loved to have a bet but faithfully shared his winnings with the little woman who had to have his dinner on the table on his return. Sundays were a ritual, off out for a couple of pints returning to a hot dinner and a long nap afterwards, Heaven help you if you woke him.
As the years went on little snippets would emerge, like, after he was called up at the young age of 18 he mentioned that he did his basic training over in Ireland, describing it like a "Little Gem" as he had never seen grass as green as over there. During his time there sadly his Father passed away and to add to his grief he wasn't allowed to come home for the Funeral. On his return to the mainland he was stationed with the 9th Durham Light Infantry, the truth was starting to come out now as did his medals which he kept hidden away in a little cardboard box, he was sent overseas to take part in the "Desert Campaign" fighting through and beyond the big one at El Alemain that saw Rommell kicked out of Africa. I presumed that this is where he was wounded, how wrong I was, after surviving that campaign he was sent to Burma to fight the Japanese and it was during this fighting and operations to clear the Tiddim Road that he was seriously wounded and his acts of bravery took place.The next few lines are taken from his Commendation. While under heavy attack by a Japanese rearguard he with total disregard for the enemies fire and at great personal risk went forward to assist one of the badly wounded men, dragging him under partial cover and applied dressings before carrying him 100 yards to safety, his example was an inspiration to the rest of the Platoon and eventual evacuation of the remaining wounded, later the same day his Platoon was again closely engaged, acting as No.2 to the Bren Gun he stood in full view of the enemy, assistng his No.1 to eliminate light machine gun and sniper fire, with no other cover or firing position other than standing he was under constant aimed fire and sustained serious wounds to his knees, chest and right hand, throughout this and previous actions his coolness, courage and reliability had a marked influence on his comrades, for his bravery in the field he was awarded the Military Medal, his secret was out now, he was a "Hero" to me a "Gentle Giant" who had done his bit for King and Country, on his return to Britain he received his Medal from King George 4th, at Buckingham Palace, 4th. December 1945. I was proud to know him and proud to become his Son In Law, sadly Sammy is no longer with us and it was only fitting that at his funeral his coffin was draped with the "Union Jack" and that the "Last Post" was played for a brave man who is greatly missed and won't be forgotten.

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