Private Thomas Henry Newton was the son of Thomas Done Newton and Florence Edith Newton of Apsley, Nottingham.He volunteered for service with The Parachute Regiment in World War II and after completing basic ground instruction at Hardwick, attended Ringway for a parachute training course on 22 June 1942 as part of the fledgling 1st Parachute Battalion.

At this stage in the war paratroops were required to undertake seven jumps to become qualified parachutists and obtain the coveted wings. He died on his final qualifying jump having previously completed 2 balloon descents and 4 descents from a Whitley without mishap.

Pte Newton died on 29 June 1942, aged 21 years, and  is now buried at Nottingham Northern Cemetery.