Lance Corporal Sidney Harold French
| Date of Birth | c. 1888 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 29 |
| Date of Death | 11 October 1917 |
| Service Number | PS/1706 |
| Military Service | 5th Battalion Middlesex Regiment |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | Morden Cemetery |
Additional Information
Sidney Harold French was the son of Henry William and Elizabeth French and the husband of Sophia French (nee Holtham) of 16, Mundella Rd., New Rd., Battersea, London. Sidney was born in about 1888, in Stratford, Essex. He was living with his family at 43 Chatsworth Road, in West Ham, in 1891. In 1901, the family had moved to 2 Everett Street, in Battersea, where his father appeared to run a pub (he is listed variously as “beer retailer” and “licensed victualler”).
Sidney had at least 9 siblings; Eliza, Henry, Frank, Jessie, and David, who were older, and Rose, Alfred, Florence and Rhoda, who were younger than Sidney. His uncle also appears to have lived with the family for a time, and worked in the bar. Sidney married Sophia on Christmas Day, 1908 at Emmanuel Chapel in Brixton, and by 1911 had one son, Harold, and was working as a ticket printer for the railway. The family was subsisting in one room at 5 Mundella Road, Battersea.
Sidney enlisted on March 13, 1915 into the 16th Batallion Middlesex Regiment. His address at the time was given as 25 Mundella Road. From his service record, we know he was 5’7”, 139 lbs, had a mole beneath his chin, and a heart tattooed on his left forearm. He had three children: Harold Henry George b.1910, Olive Ivy b1913, and Sidney William b1916.
Sidney landed in France on 17th November 1915. He was in action in various engagements and was wounded at Loos in January 1916. On recovery he rejoined his unit and fought at St. Eloi, Albert, Vimy Ridge and Somme, where he was again wounded. After receiving medical treatment he returned to the front line and saw heavy fighting at the Ancre, Beaumont-Harmel, Arras, Bullecourt, Messines and was severely wounded in the third battle of Ypres in July 1917. Invalided to England he received protracted hospital treatment at the military hospital in Chatham, but died from the effects of his wounds on October 11th 1917. At the time of his death his address was recorded variously as no 10 and no 16 Mundella Road, Wandsworth, SW8.
He is buried at Morden Cemetery. Cemetery/memorial reference: Screen Wall. N. 597.