Angus Newman

DEATH NOTICE: see the Cape Archives, MOOC 6/9/697, No 2366. OBITUARY: see the Daily Dispatch, 10.6.1912.

Angus William Newman was born in London in February 1859 and educated at Dulwich College.

He came to East London at the age of 17 for the sake of his health and joined the firm Bettington and Wright, auctioneers, brokers and shipping agents, which he subsequently carried on in his own name.

In 1903 his business was prospering sufficiently for him to expand it into a partnership with his son and a colleague, and it was henceforth known as Newman, Wilki and Newman Ltd.

He was also a sworn appraiser, served as an agent for the Public Works Department and was insurance agent for the London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Company. He acted as the vice-consul for Norway and Sweden.

Newman was elected to the Town Council, representing Ward 2, in October 1890 but resigned in May 1892.

It was mainly due to his influence that the area which became known as Marine Park was left vacant until 1998. And then, after more than a century, it was suddenly sold and construction was started on a vast timeshare complex on the land.

Newman died on 6 June 1912 at the age of 53, and was buried at East London.