Victor Marra Newland


Victor Marra Newland, was an Australian army officer and politician. He served in the Second Boer War and with the King's African Rifles in the First World War, was decorated for his service in each, and retired with the rank of major. He was formerly a member of the Legislative Council of British East Africa, and in 1933 became the representative for North Adelaide in the South Australian House of Assembly.

Early life and career

Newland was born at Marra station, near Wilcannia, New South Wales, the third son of Simpson Newland and his wife Jane Isabella Newland, née Layton.
He was educated at Queen's School, North Adelaide, and St. Peter's College. He joined the South Australian Mounted Rifles and sailed to South Africa with the second contingent of the Light Horse and served in the Boer War. He was mentioned in despatches, and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Queen's South Africa Medal with five clasps.
After the war he remained in Africa. He acted as manager for a land and stock agency in Nairobi, British East Africa in 1903, then two years later with fellow South Australian Leslie Jefferis Tarlton he formed Newland, Tarlton & Co. Ltd., organizing big-game safaris for wealthy patrons, including Theodore Roosevelt in 1909–1910. Newland was a president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, a member of the Kenya's Legislative Council, and chairman of the Nairobi Town Council.

First World War and politics

He was holidaying in Australia at the outbreak of the First World War, and returned to Kenya. He joined the King's African Rifles and fought in the German East Africa campaign, attaining the rank of major and winning the Military Cross. He was also appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and mentioned in despatches twice.
Newland returned to Adelaide where in 1923 he was made a member of the Stock Exchange, and three years later became a partner in the firm of Newland and Hunter. Almost up to the time of his death, his interests and his influence remained widespread. Their home for many years was at 34 Molesworth Street, North Adelaide.
In 1933 he was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly as the Liberal and Country League member for North Adelaide, serving until 1938.
He was buried at Victor Harbour.

Other interests

Rev. Ridgway William Newland was married to Martha Newland, née Keeling, arrived in South Australia with six children aboard Sir Charles Forbes in June 1839.