Description
The Exceptional 1947 Delhi Air Crash George Medal, Killed in Action in Korea Group of 7 awarded to Sergeant E.E.C Newman, 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers and 1st Battalion K.O.S.B. late Royal Air Force comprising; George Medal GVIR, (3254797 Sgt. Eric E.C. Newman Royal Scots Fusiliers) 1939-45 Star, 1939-45 Defence Medal, 1939-45 War Medal, unnamed as issued; General Service Medal 1918-62 one clasp Palestine 1945-48, (3254797 Sjt E. Newman. K.O.S.B.); Korea Medal 1950-53, (3254797 Sjt. E.E.C. Newman G.M. K.O.S.B.); United Nations Korea Medal unnamed as issued. Mounted on a pin for wear, lightly toned very fine.
George Medal London Gazette 30th March 1948:
For Conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.
At about 17:00 hrs on the 25th October 1947 a Dakota aircraft of Hindustan Airways crash-landed in Nicholas Lines, Delhi Cantonment. Sergeant E.E.C Newman of the 1st Battalion The Royal Scots Fusiliers, together with other members of the same Regiment rushed to the plane to render assistance to the passengers and crew. The plane was on a test flight and contained the pilot and six Indian passengers, the latter managing to jump out the back exit immediately the pane hut the ground. With complete disregard for his own safety Sergeant Newman entered the cockpit where he saw the pilot, who had been knocked unconscious, and was about to extricate him when the petrol tanks blew up. The whole machine was enveloped in flames and Sergeant Newman was forced to the back of the machine by the blast, flames and smoke. Immediately afterwards he realised there was still a chance of saving the pilot in spite of the flames and disregarding his own perilous predicament ran up to the cockpit with Fusilier Roberts* and dragged the pilot from the cockpit until they managed to carry him to safety. The time form the moment when the plane crashed until it blew up was covered by a matter of not more than 3 or 4 minutes. Sergeant Newman’s action was cool, calculated and deliberate and shows extreme personal courage and bravery as a result of which the life of the pilot was saved.
*Fusilier Richard Roberts was also awarded the George Medal.
Eric Ernest Charles Newman was born was born on the 26th February 1922 he served in the Royal Airforce from the 18th April 1940 until the 7th July 1944 transferring to the Cameronians on the 8th July 1944 with whom he served until the 1st September 1945. On the 2nd September 1945 he transferred to the Royal Scots Fusiliers with whom he served until the 31st December 1945 when he was demobilised. He re-attested for the Army on the 1st January 1946, retained the rank of Corporal and was posted to the 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was awarded the George Medal in the London gazette of the 30th March 1948. He was taken on the strength of the 1st Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers on the 13th January 1948. He embarked with the 1st Battalion K.O.S.B. in Hong Kong bound for Korea on the 19th April 1951. He was killed in action on the 21st October 1951 and is buried in Pusang.
