Name
Sidney George Madgin
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/05/1915
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Trooper
L/2214
9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HAZEBROUCK COMMUNAL CEMETERY
II.B.12
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Stevenage Old Town Memorial, St Nicholas' Church Memorial, Stevenage Old Town, Holy Trinity Church Memorial Roll of Honour, Stevenage Old Town, The Cheltenham Memorial in New Zealand, The 9th Queens Royal Lancers Memorial at Canterbury Cathedral
Pre War
Sidney was born on the 8th June 1890 the son of Charles Henry and Elizabeth Ann Madgin (nee Tingey). His father was the keeper of the White Lion Hotel in the High Street, Stevenage.
Sydney attended the Thomas Alleyne School from 1901 to 1904 (11 to 14 years old).
In 1906 he signed up to the 9th Queens Royal Lancers for 7 years. 1911 census – Private Sydney Madgin was stationed at Canterbury. He served with them for 7 years.
On leaving the Army, Sidney travelled to New Zealand, leaving on board the RMS Corinthic on 11th September 1913 and was listed as a 23 year old ex soldier, travelling 2nd class from London to Wellington, New Zealand. He stated that his intended permanent residence was New Zealand.
At the Outbreak of War Sydney signed up and joined the 6th Manawatu Mounted Rifles on the 14th August 1914. They became part of the Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment, formed for overseas service. Sydney returned to Britain aboard the (now) troopship Corinthic, arriving in London 20th November 1914.
Wartime Service
Sidney re-joined his old Regiment and was posted to France on the 3rd May 1915 and arrived at Wallon Capel, deep in the heart of the Ypres Salient, two days later. Served with ‘B’ Squadron under Captain F Granfell.
The War Diary entry for 24th May 1915 reads: "Attack on Pozieresby 112thbrigade from trenches S. of Contalmaison, Brigade held up by hostile machine guns, established itself about 100 yards from the lisiere& dug in. Casualties (3 Officers killed, 32 O.R. killed) (25 missing) (9 officers wounded, 170 O.R. wounded)."
On that date the Battalion were holding trenches in the area of Hooge. At 3am the Germans unleashed a Poison Gas attack on the British positions along the Menin Road, which lasted for about an hour. German infantry then attacked the positions but, with the aid of reinforcements, this assault was eventually driven off. However, the Battalion had lost 1 Officer and 16 Other Ranks to the dreadful effects of gas poisoning, amongst these was Sidney Madgin, who held on to life for several hours before succumbing to one of the worst horrors of warfare on the Western Front. He is buried at Hazebrouck Military Cemetery, France.
His brother R H Madgin "The well-known host of the White Lion commercial Hotel (Stevenage)" was informed of of Sidney's death by poison gas. This was also reported in the localpapers.
Additional Information
Sidney is also commemorated on the family headstone in Stevenage (St. Nicholas) Churchyard. His part of the inscription reads:
ALSO OF TROOPER SIDNEY GEORGE MADGIN 9TH LANCERS,
FATALLY GASSED AT YPRES MAY 24TH 1915 INTERRED AT HAZEBROUCK MILITARY CEMETERY FRANCE. AGED 25.
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson, Eirwen Palmer
