Private Ernest Maitland Newman

Private (Air Force). 1918-06-03 to 1918-11-21

Ernest Maitland Newman was born on 01 October 1899 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. His parents were Colin Campbell Newman and Helen Margaret Armstrong. Siblings included: Charles Frederick (1892-1938), Helen Margaret (1893-1976) and Victor Bell (1896-1981).

When he was 18, on 3 June 1918, Ernest enlisted with the RAF in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He served in Canada until his discharge on 21 November 1918 in Toronto, Ontario.

Ernest returned to Portage la Prairie and went into the jeweller's business with his brother-in-law. He attended night school in Winnipeg to get his watchmaking and gemologist papers. He worked for Birks Jewellers in Winnipeg. On 8 September 1928 he married Lillian Jane Winton in Portage la Prairie. They had two sons - Winton Kerry and Berkeley Gordon.

In 1939 the Newman family moved to Kenora, Ontario and Ernest became manager of Breslauer and Warren Jewellers. He later purchased Rioch's Jewellers and operated Newman's Jewellers until his retirement in 1973. Penners bought his store. Ernest was active in his community being a member of St. Alban's Church, Lake of the Woods Masonic Lodge 445, Lake of the Woods Shrine Club, the Rotary Club, and the Kenora and Keewatin curling clubs.

Ernest died on 6 August 1986 in Kenora and is buried in Lake of the Woods Cemetery.

His brother Victor served overseas with the Army Service Corps during WW1.