Sgt Frederick Joseph Newman (1881-1943) was born in Leighton Buzzard, but in 1911 was living in Manor Cottages, Wickhamford, as a domestic coachman, presumably for the Lees-Milne family at the Manor. Married with three sons, according to The Evesham Journal of 3rd October 1914 he enlisted in the Gloucestershire Regiment (No 2288). He served in the 8th Battalion, and left for France on 18th July 1915. The Battalion fought on the Somme in 1916 but no further details are available of Sgt Newman’s service. He was discharged on 17th October 1915 as no longer physically fit for War service. He was awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals.
Just prior to the outbreak of War, he placed an advertisement in the Western Chronicle of 6th March 1914. He was looking for a new position, as he was to be 'disengaged at the end of the season' from his job as stud groom at Wickhamford Manor. He was looking for a post as a stud groom, coachman or head ostler. He stated that he was a good horseman, understood hunters and had a knowledge of motors and he could supply excellent references.