Name
Sidney Charles Sibley
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/04/1918
35
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
38925
Gloucestershire Regiment
12th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
III. D. 21.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden
Pre War
Sidney Charles was born in Harpenden in 1883 to Charles Sibley, a gardener, and Elizabeth (nee Seabrook).
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Hodgson Cottages, Wheathampstead Road, Harpenden. He was educated at the British School, Leyton Road, Harpenden. On the 1901 Census Sidney was working as a plumber but by the 1911 Census he was a shop assistant to S.W.Skillman, tailor, of Station Road.
He married Maud Story on 21 Oct 1915 in Hartley Wintney, Hants and declared he was a gentleman’s outfitter. They made a home in New Cottages, Station Road, Harpenden.
Wartime Service
Sidney was enlisted in the Army Service Corps in May 1915 as Private A/360287 (the letter A prefix showed him to be a member of Expeditionary Force Canteen Section A, dealing in non-rations items for troops). He later transferred to the Gloucestershire Regiment as Private 39825 joining 12th (Bristol) Battalion.
The 12th Glos as part of 5 Division, were entrenched at Nieppe Forest, Merville, near Armentieres, in April 1918 when they came under attack during the German Spring Offfensive. This position was held despite numerous attacks until Aug 1918. During these attacks Sidney was killed on 24 Apr 1918.
He is buried in with a number of his comrades killed that same day.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £9 15s 9d paid to his widow.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
