Noël Newsome

Noel Newsome (1906 - 1976) was the BBC European Service Director between 1941 and 1944. Prior to his appointment he was the chief news editor for the service, having taken over the role on September 1, 1939 - two days before Britain declared war on Germany. Along with his deputy Dougles Ritchie, Newsome is credited with having been responsible for every word spoken over the BBC European Service microphones at its Bush House facility until shortly after D-Day in June 1944. Newsome is also credited with being the first news editor to broadcast exclusive details of the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbour on the BBC in December 1941. Early life Noel. F. Newsome was born in 1906 and raised in the village of Pill in Somerset where his father, a country doctor ran a medical practice. He attended Naish House Preparatory School, before proceeding to the public school at Oundle. Thereafter he progressed to Magdalen College in Oxford where he gained a first in history. Journalistic career