Revd John Arthur Newson (1905-1944) was a curate at St John’s who died in tragic circumstances in France in 1944 while serving as an army chaplain. He was attached to the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, and was among the first casualties the regiment recorded in France. He had gone to the coast with a small party who, while swimming, got into difficulties with the current. Three were drowned, including Newson, the inscription on the prayer desk given to St John’s in his memory indicating that he was attempting to save the others. He was the son of John and Ada Emily Newson and the wife of Sophie. After training at Sarum College, he was deaconed in 1935 and priested the following year in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He served parishes in Wallsend and Seaton Delaval before coming to St John’s in 1938. He was also officiating curate-in-charge of Acton and Little Waldingfield, and his name is recorded on the Little Waldingfield War Memorial. He is buried in the Bayeux War Cemetery.