Landing in Arnhem, in the Netherlands, things quickly went wrong after the mission was discovered by German troops.
Mr Newham was captured and spent a year as a prisoner of war. Several of his colleagues in the 1st Airlanding Light Regiment were killed. Most were no older than himself.
It is for exactly these kind of sacrifices thousands of people from across Calderdale attended dozens of Remembrance Sunday events this weekend.
Now aged 83 and carrying a walking stick, Mr Newham, of Halifax, says he is delighted that exactly 90 years after the Great War ended so many citizens are still moved to pay tributes to the fallen.
He said: "It's so important to remember every soldier who gives his life and that is why I have been to the Halifax parade every year and will continue to do so as long as possible. It is as important now as it ever was with young men still dying in wars."
Veterans were joined by dignitaries, MPs, scout groups, boy brigades and Territorial Army members as the district paid its respects to soldiers, seamen and airmen who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
Mayor of Calderdale Conrad Winterburn led the area's biggest procession from Halifax Town Hall to the Parish Church where the vicar of Halifax, Hilary Barber, presided over a moving outdoor ceremony.
Graham Pickard, of the Halifax Royal British Legion, said: "It was a good service and it was pleasing to see so many people there."
Other ceremonies across the district – including Northowram, Elland, Bailiff Bridge, Greetland, Sowerby Bridge, Luddenden Foot, Shelf, Ripponden, Hebden Bridge, Southowram, and Todmorden – were equally well attended.
In Brighouse Thornton Square fell silent on Saturday morning during a public wreath-laying, while Scouts from the 7th Halifax troop created a special film recorded from war graves in France for the service at St George's Church, Lee Mount.
Paul Taylor, secretary of the Halifax Duke Of Wellington Comrades Association, said: "It's always a very poignant day, always very moving."