Harold Francis Newey was born on the 22nd October 1897, to parents William Newey and Emily Wyton. (pictured, left). Emily originated from Hook Norton.
The family lived at 50, High Street (Newey cottage) where the Newey family had lived for generations.
Postal Workers
His father was a postman in Kenilworth, and after leaving school, Harold also got a job with the Post Office, becoming a ‘Telegraph messenger boy’. So they both spent a lot of time on his bike, around the streets of Kenilworth!
But within a few years, WW1 had started and by the time he was 18 years-old he had signed-up, and was transferred into the reserve of the R.G.A (Royal Garrison Artillery). After his training he was eventually called-up for service in August 1917. But he never left the country.
The R.G.A. provided heavy siege howitzers, and coastal artillery plus mobile guns on railways. Some of these guns were manufactured at the Coventry Ordinance Works.
After The War
Having survived the war, he was discharged and put into the Army Reserve in November 1919. So, it was back to civilian life in Kenilworth for young Harold.
Following in his father’s foot-steps, he became involved with St Nicholas church, and eventually became a sexton, and was a keen bell-ringer.
In 1929, he married Rose Hughes of Warwick Road at St Nicholas. They settled into married life at 19, St John’s Street, and had one daughter together, called Rosemary. For the best part of his adult life, Harold worked in the engineering industry in Coventry, he last worked for the Auto. Machinery Co. in Aldermoor Lane.
World War Two
On the outbreak of WW2, Harold voluntered to become an ARP Warden in Kenilworth and was one of the first responders on the scene when the landmine fell on The Square/Abbey End in November 1940, which killed 25 people. He witnessed much horror and destruction that night, which he probably never forgot. Kenilworth has never forgotten.
photo courtesy of the Warwickshire County Records Office PH (N) 600/279/9 img 9376
In 2023 his ARP helmet was donated to the Abbey Museum by his grandson Barry Rose. The museum is run by The Kenilworth History & Archaeology Society. https://www.khas.co.uk/
Harold pictured (right) in his back garden with grandson Barry Rose. circa late 1950s
Harold died in 1962, three day’s short of his 65th birthday. His ashes are buried at St Nicholas churchyard, along with his wife Rose, who died in 1986, age 93.
