Arthur Ernest Newland

Sergeant Arthur Ernest Newland DFM & Bar was a World War I observer ace credited with 22 victories.

Early life
Newland was born about 1882 to Jane Newland, who was from Clerkenwell. His father William was a laborer from Westminster.

Aerial service
Newland was assigned to No. 20 Squadron RAF as an observer/gunner in the rear seat of a Bristol F.2 Fighter. He was teamed with several pilot aces, such as Paul Iaccaci, Dennis Latimer, and George E. Randall, although his primary pilot, with whom he scored ten victories, was August Iaccaci.

He scored his first triumph on 18 May 1918, and was already an ace by the end of the month, with 6 wins. He scored three more times in June. There was then a lull in his string, until his double victories on 14 August, followed by a hat trick on the 21st. Another win tallied on the 22nd made him a triple ace.

He then shot doubles on the 6th, 15th, and 27 September. Combined with a single on 16 September, that brought his final count to 22. In summary, he destroyed 19 enemy aircraft, including two shared victories. Additionally, he drove down three enemies out of control. With one exception, his victories were over enemy fighter planes.

Honors and awards
Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

No. 67162 Pte., 1st Cl., Arthur Newland (Enfield Wash).

He is an excellent shot, and has done remarkably well as an observer, gaining the confidence of the pilots with whom he has served. He has personally assisted in shooting down five enemy aeroplanes. Supplement to the London Gazette, 21 September 1918 (30913/11258) Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) Bar

67162 Sergt.-Obsr. Arthur Newland, D.F.M. (Enfield Wash). (FRANCE)

This non-commissioned officer sets a splendid example of courage, skill and determination to the other non-commissioned officers of his squadron. During the month of August he crashed six enemy machines. Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918 (31046/14327)