Name
Sidney Victor Flitt
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/11/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
46234
Royal Field Artillery
'B' Battery, 87th Brigade
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PUCHEVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY
Plot III, Row C, Grave 21.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Bushey Memorial, Clay Hill,
St James’ Church Memorial, Bushey,
St Paul's Church Memorial, Bushey
Pre War
Born in Bushey on 21 September 1895, Sydney Victor Flitt was the eldest son of Walter and Alice M Flitt. His parent’s marriage is proving elusive, but his mother’s maiden name is believed to be Webb. Both parents died in Bushey, Alice in 1918 and Walter in 1947.
At the 1901 Census, the family was living at 16 Vale Road, Bushey. Walter, age 43, was a caretaker and messenger for Andre and Sleigh, a firm of photographic engravers in Bushey and Alice A was age 33. Sydney was now age 6 and had three siblings, Olive Adelaide (a domestic housemaid, born 1885), Edward Langtry (born 1897) and Ruby Myrtle (born 1900). The birthplaces given were Abbots Langley for Walter, Wickham in Suffolk for Alice, Ramsgate for Olive and Bushey for the other children.
By the time of the 1911 Census, Sydney was 16 and working as a caddy boy, while his younger siblings, Edward (age 13), Ruby (age 11) and Frederick (age 7), were still at school. Note: the property numbers changed after the 1911 census. Note: number 16 became number 39.
Wartime Service
When war was declared, Sydney enlisted in London as Gunner 46234 with the Royal Horse Artillery. He served on the Western Front and wrote letters home to his parents and brothers and sisters.
On 13 September 1916, he wrote enquiring about his friends, including Reginald Glennerster, who also lived in Vale Road. A postscript reads "Don’t forget my birthday on the 21st".
Sydney died on 5 November 1916, age 21, at the 44th Casualty Clearing Station in France of wounds received in action.
Chaplain, Reginald Gorringe, wrote the following letter to Sydney’s mother on 6 November 1916;
Dear Mrs Flitt,
You will have received my letter of Nov 4th telling you that your son Sidney (sic) had been brought here wounded. I am very grieved to have to write to tell you today that he passed away last evening. He was very badly wounded in his legs, back and left arm, and in spite of the doctor doing all he could for him he rapidly became worse after I had written, and was unconscious for 24 hours before he died. If he had lived, he would have had to lose both legs and would have been a cripple for the rest of his life, so you must take comfort from the thought that he has been spared a lot of suffering. I have buried him this morning in our Cemetery. I am not at liberty to tell you the name of the place but his grave will be marked with a wooden cross bearing his name and after the War is over you will be able to find out where he lies. I offer you my deepest sympathy with your sad loss and may God give you strength to bear it.
Sincerely yours
Reginald E T Gorringe, C of E Chaplain"
Sydney was buried at Puchevillers British Cemetery in France, grave reference III. C. 21. He is commemorated in Bushey on the memorial on Clay Hill, at James’ Parish Church and at St Paul’s Church, Bushey.
There is a Death announcement for Sydney in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 18 November 1916, plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 10 November 1917.
Additional Information
There is a Death announcement for Sydney in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 18 November 1916, plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 10 November 1917.
Unfortunately, Sydney’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
