Born In The USA
Gunner Charles Newton Woodroffe Royal Artillery and Royal Observer Corps
The Man Charles Newton Woodroffe, known as Newton and Bob in later life, was born in Connecticut, United States of America on 3rd September 1921. Son of Vincent Bridge, a motor mechanic and farmer by trade and Beatrice Evelyn nee Hill. He was one of five children.
Vincent and Beatrice were both from Tideswell, near Buxton in Derbyshire and presumably in a relationship, as when Beatrice moved to America in 1912 to be with her older brother William Eugene (a cabinet maker in Saybrook, Connecticut, USA), Vincent followed and they married, having one child Frank Eugene born in 1915. Interestingly, whilst arrangements were being made for Beatrice to travel to the US she had planned to sail on the Titanic, but her Father died in February 2012 and the arrangements were temporarily put on hold. If true how different the future would have been for the family.
With the advent of World War I that had started in Europe on 4th August 1914, Vincent returned to the UK and enlisted in the Labour Corps on 30th June 1917, as a Private with service number 457082. The likely reason for his enlistment is obligation, as the US had entered the war two months previously on 2nd April. Vincent appears not have seen service overseas but was injured or fell sick and discharged on 24th September 1919, under King’s Regulations 392 XXIA (Surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since entry into the service). He was awarded the Silver War Badge number B292507.
Vincent returned to the US after the War and Newton was born in September 1921.
In 1922 the family travelled from New York to the United Kingdom aboard the Steamship Adriatic, part of the White Star Line arriving in Liverpool on 17th April 1922 and residing at High Street, Tideswell, Derby. Newton had another brother and two sisters Walter born in 1923, Mary Louise 1925 and Mildred 1930.
Vincent and Beatrice were both from Tideswell, near Buxton in Derbyshire and presumably in a relationship, as when Beatrice moved to America in 1912 to be with her older brother William Eugene (a cabinet maker in Saybrook, Connecticut, USA), Vincent followed and they married, having one child Frank Eugene born in 1915. Interestingly, whilst arrangements were being made for Beatrice to travel to the US she had planned to sail on the Titanic, but her Father died in February 2012 and the arrangements were temporarily put on hold. If true how different the future would have been for the family.
With the advent of World War I that had started in Europe on 4th August 1914, Vincent returned to the UK and enlisted in the Labour Corps on 30th June 1917, as a Private with service number 457082. The likely reason for his enlistment is obligation, as the US had entered the war two months previously on 2nd April. Vincent appears not have seen service overseas but was injured or fell sick and discharged on 24th September 1919, under King’s Regulations 392 XXIA (Surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since entry into the service). He was awarded the Silver War Badge number B292507.
Vincent returned to the US after the War and Newton was born in September 1921.
In 1922 the family travelled from New York to the United Kingdom aboard the Steamship Adriatic, part of the White Star Line arriving in Liverpool on 17th April 1922 and residing at High Street, Tideswell, Derby. Newton had another brother and two sisters Walter born in 1923, Mary Louise 1925 and Mildred 1930.
On 31st January 1939 aged 18, Newton enlisted into the Royal Engineers Territorial Army with service number 2082079 as a Sapper. The family were shown as living at 35 Nunsfield Road Buxton, Derbyshire and Vincent now worked for Imperial Chemical Industries in a limestone quarry. Newton was called up at the outbreak of World War II and transferred into the Royal Artillery on 26th November 1940.
During the second quarter of 1942 Newton married Jessie Smith in Scunthorpe and subsequently served in the 149 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment from 25th August 1943 and later the 127 Field Regiment. He was involved in the D-Day landings seeing active service in France and Holland and released into the Z Class reserve on 25th July 1946. They had one son, Garry Robert who was born on 11th June 1960 but who was tragically killed in a car crash in Coventry during April 1991.
For his war service he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. In January 1946, Army Order 20/46 Newton was also awarded the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’.
Only 12 months after his demobilisation Newton joined the Royal Observer Corps, No 8 Group whose Group Headquarters at the time were based in Leeds and from late 1953 in Coventry. He served for 12 years as Observer and in Air Ministry Order N464 – 8th July 1959 was awarded the Royal Observer Corps Medal, and 12 years later in 1971 having been promoted to Chief Observer, the first clasp to the medal totalling 24 years’ service.
Newton’s Father Vincent, who now lived on Brooklands still in Buxton died in 1963 aged 68 and was cremated, his funeral service being held in St Peter's Church, Fairfield. Beatrice died in 1969 aged 73.
In later life Newton worked in the Newhaven Garage on the Buxton-Ashbourne Road and enjoyed poetry, gaining quite a reputation in Hartington as a poet.
Newton, Bob as he was later known, lived at Hall Bank Cottage, Hartington near Buxton and died on 1st October 1993 aged 72.
During the second quarter of 1942 Newton married Jessie Smith in Scunthorpe and subsequently served in the 149 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment from 25th August 1943 and later the 127 Field Regiment. He was involved in the D-Day landings seeing active service in France and Holland and released into the Z Class reserve on 25th July 1946. They had one son, Garry Robert who was born on 11th June 1960 but who was tragically killed in a car crash in Coventry during April 1991.
For his war service he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. In January 1946, Army Order 20/46 Newton was also awarded the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’.
Only 12 months after his demobilisation Newton joined the Royal Observer Corps, No 8 Group whose Group Headquarters at the time were based in Leeds and from late 1953 in Coventry. He served for 12 years as Observer and in Air Ministry Order N464 – 8th July 1959 was awarded the Royal Observer Corps Medal, and 12 years later in 1971 having been promoted to Chief Observer, the first clasp to the medal totalling 24 years’ service.
Newton’s Father Vincent, who now lived on Brooklands still in Buxton died in 1963 aged 68 and was cremated, his funeral service being held in St Peter's Church, Fairfield. Beatrice died in 1969 aged 73.
In later life Newton worked in the Newhaven Garage on the Buxton-Ashbourne Road and enjoyed poetry, gaining quite a reputation in Hartington as a poet.
Newton, Bob as he was later known, lived at Hall Bank Cottage, Hartington near Buxton and died on 1st October 1993 aged 72.
The Story The group of medals awarded to Charles Newton Woodroffe were acquired from e-bay on a buy it now basis, little thinking time was required because of the unusual combination of the Efficiency and Royal Observer Corps medals, the latter with clasp.
Thanks to John Scott, the Birmingham Medal Society Librarian, Charles’ full names and copies of Air Ministry Orders and ROC awards were provided, allowing the usual search on Ancestry.
Initially little detail could be found despite the unusual name, however after some digging and cross referencing, Charles was found to have been born in the United States, his having travelled there to marry.
During June 2021 Newton's nephew, Ian Bromley, Newton’s sister’s (Mary Louise) son made contact via this web site and as the family historian, provided a much sought-after picture of Newton and additional interesting biographical details to help expand and correct his biography.
Ian has also written a book that includes details of the Woodroffe’s - Bromley A Midlands Family History, Troubador Publishing Ltd 2006.
With many thanks to Ian for his help in expanding Newton’s biography.
Thanks to John Scott, the Birmingham Medal Society Librarian, Charles’ full names and copies of Air Ministry Orders and ROC awards were provided, allowing the usual search on Ancestry.
Initially little detail could be found despite the unusual name, however after some digging and cross referencing, Charles was found to have been born in the United States, his having travelled there to marry.
During June 2021 Newton's nephew, Ian Bromley, Newton’s sister’s (Mary Louise) son made contact via this web site and as the family historian, provided a much sought-after picture of Newton and additional interesting biographical details to help expand and correct his biography.
Ian has also written a book that includes details of the Woodroffe’s - Bromley A Midlands Family History, Troubador Publishing Ltd 2006.
With many thanks to Ian for his help in expanding Newton’s biography.
World War II Medal award certificate
Record or Service and RA Tracer report.
Medal Details
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- France and Germany Star: Unnamed as awarded
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded..
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Efficiency Medal: 2082079 GNR. C.N.WOODROFFE. R.A.
- Royal Observer Corps Medal: OBSERVER C.N.WOODROFFE
Page last updated 14 Jun 21
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