Frank Newsam facts for kids

Sir Frank Aubrey Newsam was a very important British civil servant. He worked for the government, mostly in the Home Office, for almost his entire career. From 1948 to 1957, he was the top civil servant there, called the Permanent Under-Secretary.

Newsam was known for his strong leadership. He was very interested in the police service. He even helped create the Police Staff College at Bramshill. He was great at handling emergencies, like the big North Sea flood in 1953. He was a very energetic person and good at negotiating. People who worked with him said he tried to protect people's freedom.

Early Life and Education

Frank Newsam was born in Barbados in 1893. His father worked for the British government there. Frank went to Harrison College in Barbados.

In 1911, he won a special scholarship. This allowed him to study classics at St John's College, Oxford University in England. He finished his studies in 1915.

War Service and Bravery

After university, Newsam joined the army. He became a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Irish Regiment. He fought in Ireland and was wounded during the Easter Rising in 1916.

During World War I, he served in Belgium, France, India, and Afghanistan. In September 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross. This award is for bravery. He earned it for bravely gathering soldiers and reorganizing his unit during a battle. This helped them continue their attack.

After the war, Newsam taught briefly at Harrow School. In 1920, he joined the Home Office. This is a government department in the UK.

Starting His Career in Government

Newsam quickly made a good impression at the Home Office. In 1924, he became the private secretary to Sir John Anderson. Anderson was the top civil servant in the department at the time. Newsam helped Anderson a lot.

In 1927, Newsam got an even more important job. He became the Principal Private Secretary to the Home Secretary. The Home Secretary is the political head of the Home Office. Newsam held this key role for over five years. He worked with several Home Secretaries, helping them manage the department. He learned a lot about how senior politicians and Parliament worked.

Taking on More Responsibilities

In 1933, Newsam was promoted. He became an assistant secretary. He was put in charge of a new division. One of his first tasks was to help create the Betting and Lotteries Act 1934. This law dealt with gambling.

Newsam also handled other important issues. He helped create the Public Order Act 1936. This law banned political uniforms. It helped bring order back to the streets.

World War II Efforts

In 1938, Newsam moved to the criminal division. He started preparing a major law about criminal justice. However, World War II began, and the law was put on hold.

When the war started in September 1939, Newsam took on a new role. He became Chief of Staff for civil defense in the South East region. After a few months, he was called back to London. He took charge of the criminal and aliens divisions.

In April 1941, Newsam was promoted again. He became the second most senior civil servant in the Home Office. He was especially responsible for security matters.

Newsam helped negotiate with the United States. They worked out how to handle crimes committed by American soldiers in the UK. He also made plans for the Channel Islands after the German occupation ended. His plans were used in 1945. He then helped the islands reform their laws and government systems.

Focus on Policing

Towards the end of the war, Newsam became very interested in the police force. His first goal was to reform the many small police forces. He wanted to combine them into larger, more effective forces.

Newsam helped draft the Police Act 1946. This law combined many small police forces. He also worked to establish a national staff college for the police. This college would train police leaders. He found the land for it at Bramshill. In 1947, he became the first chairman of the college's board. He kept this role for the rest of his career.

Leading the Home Office

On August 10, 1948, Newsam was appointed the top civil servant at the Home Office. This role is called the Permanent Secretary. He was 54 years old at the time.

Newsam played an important role in relations with Northern Ireland. In 1948, Ireland planned to become a Republic. Newsam suggested a law to ensure Northern Ireland would remain part of the United Kingdom. This law, the Ireland Act 1949, stated that Northern Ireland could not leave the UK without its own Parliament's agreement.

When the Conservative government took over in 1951, Newsam became even more influential. He was known for dealing directly with the Home Secretary. In 1954, he wrote a book explaining the work of the Home Office.

Dealing with Capital Punishment

One of Newsam's main concerns was capital punishment. This is the death penalty. He was involved in the process where the Home Secretary decided whether to spare someone condemned to death. He would sign the letters informing families of the decision.

He also met with families and lawyers of those condemned to death. They would plead for a reprieve from the Home Secretary. In one famous case, Derek Bentley, Newsam listened to the family's plea. Records later showed that Newsam himself argued for leniency in that case.

Newsam's personal views on capital punishment were not public. However, he helped develop the idea of different types of murder. This led to the Homicide Act 1957. This law distinguished between capital (death penalty) and non-capital murder.

Handling Emergencies

Sea defences are breached at Erith during the 1953 flood.

The Home Office was responsible for dealing with civil emergencies. Newsam personally led the official committee on emergencies. In 1953, a huge storm caused severe flooding along the East coast. Newsam took charge of all government resources. He directed troops and other workers to repair sea defenses and homes. People praised his quick and strong leadership during this crisis.

Newsam was known for being at his best during emergencies. He was decisive and authoritative.

Other Important Issues

In 1954, Newsam was involved in a diplomatic incident. A Polish man, Antoni Klimowicz, tried to seek asylum in London. Newsam arranged for police officers to board the ship and rescue Klimowicz. He was then allowed to stay in the UK.

Retirement and Legacy

Newsam retired from the Home Office on September 30, 1957. He had served for many years and was past the usual retirement age.

After retiring, Newsam continued to work on important issues. He advised the British Medical Association on doctors' pay. He also served on the police committee of the British Transport Commission.

Newsam's health declined in his later years. He passed away on April 25, 1964. His name lives on through the 'Frank Newsam Memorial Lectures' at the Police Staff College. These lectures focus on criminal justice.

Personal Qualities

People who worked with Newsam described him as a "born leader." He had a strong personality and was excellent at leading meetings. He was also a very good negotiator. However, he could be impatient if people disagreed with him.

Newsam was a very professional administrator. He was more interested in solving problems than in just organizing things. He was known for being eloquent and having surprising knowledge.

Newsam married Janet in December 1927. She moved to the countryside during World War II and stayed there. Newsam continued to live in London. They remained friendly but did not see each other often. They did not have children.

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  Sea defences are breached at Erith during the 1953 flood.