Heard, Private Newton Arthur

Service highlights

  • Service number: 138768
  • Rank: Private
  • Born: Lot 13, Concession 3, Blanshard Township (service records say 1 October 1897; family/census 1898 or 1899)
  • Enlisted: 22 November 1915 in Toronto
  • Unit: 75th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 4th Canadian Division
  • Sailed overseas: 29 March 1916 from Halifax on SS Empress of Britain
  • Killed: 9 April 1917 at Vimy Ridge
  • Burial: Canadian Cemetery No. 2
  • Commemorated: cenotaph in Rannoch

A Life and Service Remembered

Newton Arthur Heard grew up in rural Blanshard Township, educated at S.S. No. 1 Blanshard, also known as Anderson School. He left school at fourteen to work on local farms, the kind of early responsibility that shaped many young men in the area.

He was remembered as an active teenager with a streak of adventure. He bought the first motorcycle seen in Anderson, and in his spare time he and his brother Mervin formed a harmonica group that played at local functions. He was also known as a good shot, a skill that would later matter in France.

Newton enlisted in Toronto on 22 November 1915 with the 75th Battalion. The account suggests he may have been underage and careful not to draw attention to his true age. After training, he sailed from Halifax on 29 March 1916 aboard the SS Empress of Britain. In England, the 75th became part of the newly mobilized 4th Canadian Division.

On 11 August 1916 the battalion crossed the English Channel and went into the Ypres Salient, serving routine tours in the line before moving south to the St. Omer training area on 21 September. By 17 October they were forward again in the Somme sector, taking part in attacks connected with Regina and Desire Trenches.

Newton’s war included the quiet grind of illness and injury between the battles. On 29 October 1916 he was admitted to 11 Canadian Field Ambulance with ruptured muscles, returning to the battalion on 3 November. Not long after, he was treated at 16 General Hospital at Le Tréport for a gunshot wound to his right eye. The injury was considered fairly minor, and he was back with the 75th for Christmas.

On 9 April 1917, at Zero Hour, the Canadian Corps attacked Vimy Ridge. The 75th was among the initial assault battalions. In the rush across no man’s land, Newton was killed instantly by an enemy bullet while crossing.

He was buried at Canadian Cemetery Number 2 at Neuville-St Vaast. His headstone bears an epitaph chosen by his mother:
He hath done what he could
Gone but not forgotten

Newton was survived by his parents, John and Louisa (Wiles) Heard, and by five brothers, Harvey, Chester, Everitt, Mervin, and Elmer. The account notes that many members of the Heard family remained in the area, and that Newton’s photograph was provided through the family.

Major battles and operations

  • Ypres Salient (front line tours beginning August 1916)
  • Somme sector operations (Regina Trench and Desire Trench actions, October 1916)
  • Battle of Vimy Ridge (9 April 1917), killed at Zero Hour during the advance

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