JACK Newton, a long time resident and farmer from Middelburg, turned 100 years old last week Saturday.
Newton was born on November 10, 1918.
He attended school in George and matriculated from St Andrews College in Grahamstown in 1936.
He worked for the family firm, Hogarth & Newton, in Mossel Bay, but when World War 2 broke out, he enlisted and served in the SA Armoured Corp.
In Northern Africa, Newton took part in the historic battles of El Alamein and Tobruk. After returning to South Africa, he married Marion Gush in 1943, and two years later bought the farm Middelplaas in the Middelburg area.
Askania Nova, a farm situated on the Steynsburg road, was acquired by Newton in 1953, and it has been farmed by his family ever since.
Newton was a keen sportsman. He played golf and cricket and also managed the Eastern Province Country District cricket side. The Newton couple were blessed with three sons, Joe, Des and Jack. Unfortunately, Marion passed away at the age of 54.
“If I had to describe my dad, I’d probably single out his wonderfully dry sense of humour,” said Joe. “He has always been a gentleman and a popular guy. He has been living in Huis Karee in Middelburg for the past 10 years, where he is really well taken care of,” added Joe.
Newton has eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
