Date of birth:

October 10th, 1903 (Jerez, Spain)

Date of death:

December 29th, 1979 (Alicante, Spain)

Service number:

234267

Nationality:

British

Henry and Alfred Newton, British brothers affectionately nicknamed "the twins" within the Special Operations Executive (SOE), were born in Spain over a decade apart—Henry in 1903 and Alfred in 1914. Sons of British variety artists, they became travelling acrobats themselves as the Boorn Brothers, touring Europe and South America. By the 1930s, both had settled in France with their wives and children.

When World War II broke out, the brothers worked as despatch riders in France before being imprisoned in 1941. After escaping and crossing into Spain, they were detained again and eventually handed over to the British. Upon reaching Gibraltar, they learned that the ship carrying their families—the SS Avoceta—had been sunk by a German U-boat, killing everyone on board. This devastating loss fueled their hatred of the Nazis and their resolve to fight.

Recruited by SOE’s F Section, they - after a few false starts- were parachuted into France on 30 June 1942 near Tours to support the Resistance. Initially dismissed by their aristocratic contact Philippe de Vomécourt, they formed their own network (GREENHEART) in the Puy de Dôme region, recruiting around 200 men. Shortages and tensions led them to plan an escape to Spain, but their safehouse in Lyon was raided on 4 April 1943 by 15 Gestapo agents. Despite a fierce hand-to-hand fight, they were captured.

They were tortured by Klaus Barbie, the infamous “Butcher of Lyon,” though later accounts questioned some details of this treatment. Alfred even attempted escape by jumping from a window. Transferred to Fresnes prison, they were eventually deported to Buchenwald concentration camp in 1944. Forced into hard labor and suffering severe illness, they evaded execution by hiding in the “Little Camp” and changing their prisoner numbers to impersonate dead inmates. They were liberated by American troops on 11 April 1945. And together with Christopher Burney and Maurice Southgate they were the only surviving British agents left in the camp.

Emaciated and deeply scarred, both physically and psychologically, they were awarded MBEs for their service. A 1955 book, No Banners by Jack Thomas, recounted their wartime experiences. After the war, they ran a nightclub with another ex-SOE agent, but neither ever fully recovered. Alfred died in England in 1979; Henry died a few months later in Spain, in 1980.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

August 30th, 1945

Citation:
"This officer was parachuted ino France on the 30th June 1942 as a sabotage instructor to an important circuit in southern France. He carried out his duties courageously under difficult conditions for 9 months, organising and training sabotage groups in the Lyon, St. Etienne and Le Puy areas. His work involved much travel, with the consequent dangers from German controls and he narrowly escaped arrest on several occasions. The work at that time being mainly preparatory was unspectacular but it was a considerable achievement to carry on clandestine work for such a long period.

Lt. Newton was arrested by the Gestapo in April 1943 and spent over two years as a prisoner in the hands of the Germans, first in Fresnes prison in Parils, and subsequently in the Buchenwald concentration camp. During this period he suffered considerable hardship, both mental and physical which he bore with the utmost fortitude and courage. He was liberated from Buchenwald in April 1945.

It is recommended taht this officer be appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division).

Signed
4/6/45
Lieutenant-General Gale
Chief Administrative Officer

• - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37244/supplement/4371
  - https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7396507
  - https://nigelperrin.com/newton.htm
  - https://alanmalcher.com/2021/07/30/soe-agents-henry-and-alfred-newton-the-twins/