Charles Newbold

Charles was the eldest son of Reuben Newbold and his wife Mary nee Spencer. Reuben was born in Leicestershire in 1859 (J/A/S Loughborough) and Mary Spencer was born on 5 May 1865 in Hemington, Leicestershire. They were married in 1893 (A/M/J Shardlow Derbyshire, and had six children of whom only four survived infancy or early childhood: Charles b. 10 October 1896 (O/N/D Basford), Clara b, 1898 (A/M/J Basford), Frank b. 25 April 1901 (A/M/J Basford) and Reuben b. 8 July 1904 (J/A/S Basford). All the children were born in Hucknall Torkard. In 1901 Reuben, a coal miner hewer, and Mary (37) were living at 29 Brickyard Road, Butler's Hill, Hucknall Torkard, with their two children Charles (4) and Clara (3). Also in the household was Harley Spencer (16), the grandson of Mary's father, who was described as a boarder. The family was still at 29 Brickyard Road in 1911. Reuben, a miner/stallman (underground), and Mary now had four children, Charles (14) a printer's apprentice, Clara (13), Frank (9) and Reuben (6). Harley Spencer (26), a coal miner, was still living with the family. Charles' father died on 4 February 1915 in a pit accident at Newstead Colliery(see 'extra information'). His mother was still living at 29 Brickyard Road at the time the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled. She died in 1946 (Mar Basford) aged 82. Harley Spencer, who lived with the Newbold family, may also have served in the war; 45330 Private Hampshire Regiment, previously 10th Leicester Regiment (23360 Private), qualifying for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. (Died 17 February 1961, widow May Elizabeth Spencer.) Of Charles' siblings: Clara married George R Bennett in 1920 (A/M/J Derby). They had probably emigrated to Canada by 1921 and Clara's death appears to have been registered in Ontario. (Canadian records not accessed.) Frank married Lottie Parlett in 1931 (O/N/D Basford) and in 1939 at the time of the England & Wales Register they were living on Hazel Grove, Hucknall. Frank was working as a leather tanner's labourer while Lottie (b. 12 April 1904) was a housewife. Frank died on 16 March 1960; he was then living at 45 Farley's Lane, Hucknall. His widow, Lottie died in 1990 (Oct Nottingham) aged 86. Reuben was living in Hucknall in 1939; he was single and working as a coal hewer (underground). He had a housekeeper, Mary Poxon (b. 25 January 1908), who was divorced (probably previously Booth). Also in the household was Jack Poxon (b. 8 September 1930) and Harry Poxon (b. 23 November 1932) who were both at school. Reuben married Mary Poxon in 1939 (O/N/D Basford). Reuben died in 1960 (Mar Basford) aged 55. His widow Mary remarried (Guest) and died in 1989 (Jun Boston Lincolnshire) aged 81.

He attended St John's Church where he was occasional organist. He was an apprentice printer in 1911 and working for the Hucknall Dispatch newspaper as a printer when he joined the Royal Navy in 1915.

Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Charles joined the Royal Navy in October 1915 and was drafted to HMS Black Prince after basic training. He was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916 while still serving in HMS Black Prince. His body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. HMS Black Prince was sunk at Jutland on May 31st 1916. The circumstances surrounding her loss were unclear for many years because there were no positive sightings of Black Prince after 17.42. Recent historians hold to the German account of the ship's sinking. Black Prince briefly engaged the German battleship Rheinland at about 23:35 GMT, scoring two hits with 6-inch shells. Separated from the rest of the British fleet, Black Prince approached the German lines at approximately midnight. She turned away from the German battleships, but it was too late. The German battleship Thüringen fixed Black Prince in her searchlights and opened fire. Up to five other German ships, including battleships Nassau, Ostfriesland, and Friedrich der Grosse, joined in the bombardment, with return fire from Black Prince being ineffective. Most of the German ships were between 750 and 1500 yards of Black Prince - effectively point blank range for contemporary naval gunnery. Black Prince was hit by at least twelve heavy shells and several smaller ones, sinking within 15 minutes. There were no survivors from Black Prince's crew, all 857 being killed.

Reuben Newbold (55) was killed on 4 February 1915 at Newstead Colliery, Nottinghamshire, which was owned by the Newstead Colliery Co Ltd. Reuben, a stallman (underground) was 'throwing dirt from face side into pack when block of coal fell from face. He had tested it some time before and considered it safe.' Probate: Newbold Reuben of 29 Brickyard-road Hucknall Torkard Nottinghamshire miner died 5 February 1915 at Nottingham Administration Nottingham 24 February to Mary Newbold widow. Effects £168 1s. Article published on 8th June 1916 in the Hucknall Dispatch :- “Herewith we give a portrait of Charles Newbold, who was an able seaman on the Black Prince, which went down with all hands in the severe naval fight on May 31st in the North Sea. The youth, who was 19 years of age, was the son of Mrs. Newbold, of 29 Brickyard road, Butler's Hill, and of the late Mr. Reuben Newbold. “He enlisted in the Royal Navy last October, [1915] and, after three months' training, was rated on the Black Prince. It was a severe wrench for him to leave his widowed mother, but when he had reached 19 years of age, he felt that he must do his little bit, and did not relish the idea of being fetched as a conscript. “From the letters to hand he always spoke in good terms of the sailor's life, and had no regrets for the course he had taken. In his last message home a few days before the fight he referred to the glorious weather on the ocean, and said he expected being home on leave very shortly. That home-coming has been denied him, and he now rests serenely beneath the waves. “The deceased, who was a printer, was formerly employed at the Dispatch Office, and since the death of his father had realised the great purpose in life, and was eager to do his utmost for the upkeep of the home, and to comfort his widowed mother. He attended St. John's Church, and occasionally officiated as organist. “The people of the neighbourhood deeply sympathise with Mrs. Newbold, and the family on the loss which has befallen them.” Above article and photograph courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 The Bundeswehr Museum of Military History, Dresden: Painting, oil on canvas: ‘SMS Thueringen destroys the English cruiser Black Prince in a night battle at 2am on 1 June.’ Clause Bergen (1885-1964). Caption: 'Present given by the commander of Thueringen, Captain Hans Kuesel, to his nephew in 1921. Bergen established his reputation as a marine painter with depictions of the Battle of Jutland (31 May-1 June 1916). When the Imperial German Fleet returned home, he was in Wilhelmshaven and asked officers involved in the battle to give him detailed accounts of the events.' Probate: Newbold Frank of 45 Farleys Lane Hucknall Nottinghamshire died 16 March 1960 Probate Nottingham 18 May to John George Parlett electrical engineer.