Richard Hampson NEW (1891-1962)

Richard Hampson New (1891-1962), known as Dick, was the son of Geoffrey and Margaret New who were friends of the Sladden family.

Dick was born at Evesham on 9th October 1891, the fourth of five children of Geoffrey New, a solicitor, and his wife, Margaret Henrietta (née Roscoe).  He grew up at Greenhill Park, Evesham.  At the time of the 1911 census, Dick was an engineering student at Longhope, Gloucestershire.

In World War I, Dick served with the 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.  On being commissioned shortly after he enlisted, he was posted to the 5th (Special Reserve) Battalion.  In the summer of 1915 he went overseas with the 4th Battalion seeing service in Gallipoli and afterwards in France.  Whilst at the army base camp on the island of Lemnos, he met Cyril Sladden in October 1915.

Dick was severely wounded in the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917 which resulted in the loss of his right leg.  Arthur Sladden made enquiries about his health in January 1918.

After being invalided from the army with the rank of Lieutenant, Dick returned to Evesham and shortly afterwards opened a garage at Broadway.  In the 1930s he lived at Cotswold House, Willersey but by 1939 he was living at Corinium House, Avon Street, Evesham, with the housekeeper.  He was described in the 1939 register as a retired automobile engineer; he was a special constable and the notes said he was disabled in the last war.

Dick was greatly involved with the Boy Scout movement, serving as District Commissioner for the Evesham area for some years.  He never married and lived at 66 Badsey Lane, Evesham, in his latter years.

Dick died at Evesham General Hospital on 22nd May 1962, aged 70.