Campaign to honour WWII Garston gas works bomb hero Harold Newgass

Aug 30 2011 by Marc Waddington, Liverpool Echo

Harold Newgass

A CAMPAIGN was launched to honour a World War II lieutenant who single-handedly saved Garston from obliteration by defusing a land mine that landed in its gas works.

Temporary Lieutenant Harold Newgass worked for two days in dank and dirty conditions inside one of the gas cylinders after a parachute mine landed in it but failed to explode.

Homes for miles around the works were evacuated and up to 6,000 people displaced.

For two days until November 30, 1940 he battled to defuse the mine and because of the noxious, flammable fumes inside the cylinder his operation was complicated by having to wear breathing apparatus which only had a life of 30 minutes apiece.

Although Londoner Newgass, 41 at the time, was awarded the George Cross for his efforts he is yet to be recognised by the council.

Lib Dem leader Cllr Paula Keaveney, and Mossley Hill councillors Lynnie Williams and Tina Gould have called on the council to honour him.

While there is a plaque recognising Mr Newgass’s efforts at St Michael’s church in Garston, the councillors said they believed a civic honour was in order.