Edward Sargent Newell was born on the 1st December 1921 in Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia. He was the son of Colonel Francis Sargent and Alice Newell of South Yarra, Victoria, Australia.

He attended the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School between 1931 and 1938 studing in subjects French, German and Latin amongst others.

Prior to the war Edward was a Commercial Clerk.

Edward enlisted in Melbourne on the 5th December 1941.

On 2nd November 1942 he embarked at Melbourne to Canada for further training and was then posted to England in February 1943.

He'd joined 27 O.T.U. (Operational Training Unit) in June of 1943, whilst with 27 O.T.U. on the 4th August 1943 Edward was on board a Vickers Wellington X, serial HE703, they had taken off for a night navigation training flight from RAF Lichfield when at about 23:50 and at 13,000 feet the port engine failed due to an oil problem, soon afterwards the starboard engine lost power and they crashed into Walton Road, Sale, Cheshire and caught fire. 2 out of the 6 crew had died in the accident, Edward received burns which put him in Hospital for 3 weeks, he was then given 2 weeks recovery leave.

On finishing at 27 O.T.U. in October 1943 Edward then joined 1652 conversion unit before joining 466 squadron on 3rd February 1944.

Edward had died in the crash on the 18th March 1944 at Wembach at the age of 22.

Edward was initially buried in Wembach Civil Cemetery, before being re-buried by the allied forces to a dedicated war cemetery in early December 1947.