South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 435201 Sydney Lawrence WALKER

2nd/3rd South Midland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

Killed in action on Wednesday 5th December 1917 aged 26


Military History

     
Theatre of War in Which Died Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Fins New British Cemetery
     
First Arrived in Theatre Bravery & Conduct Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
30 Mar 1915 in Havre, France ~ Fillongley War Memorial
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Battle of Cambrai 17th September 1914 in Birmingham ~
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
Fins, Cambrai Previously a Territorial Member of 2nd/3rd  
     

Service History

  • Prior to the start of the war Sydney was a member of the Territorial Army's South Midland Field Ambulance, South Midland Division.
  • He arrived in France on 30 Mar 1915 with the 1st/1st South Midland Field Ambulance
  • After recovering from measles caught in April 1916 he was transferred to the 2nd/1st South Midland Field Ambulance on 24 Jun 1916
  • On 10 Jul 1916 he was transferred to the 2nd/3rd Field Ambulance where he remained until he was killed in Dec 1917
  • On 17 Aug 1916 he was promoted to Lance Corporal

Circumstances of Death

Sidney is listed as being killed in action on 5th December 1917 near Fins when the Field Ambulance was hit by shellfire. The 2nd/3rd Field Ambulance war diary entries for the period 4th to 6th December 1917 are transcribed below.

Fins – 4 Dec 1917: Capt Bishop RAMC came up to ADS having returned from leave at Paris. Lt Day RAMC reported for duty to 2/1 Field Ambulance. Auxiliary stretcher bearers still required 40 in number.

Fins – 5 Dec 1917: HQ at Fins shelled, L/Cpl Walker & Pte Hoddinot killed, A/Cpl Pidgeon wounded, also two NCO’s of the Guards killed. One G.S. Wagon destroyed & water cart damaged.

Capt Bishop detailed for duty with 2/6 Gloucesters. Capt Underhill of 109th Field Ambulance & 50 OR’s took over bearer post at V.8.b.3.7 – sheet 57C on the relief of 182nd Brigade by 36th Division. Two Ford cars provided by 36th Division for work in forward area.

Fins 6 Dec 1917: Capt Wood moved HQ & Transport W of Fins tom V.11.b.4.4. on account of shelling of Fins leaving holding party. Auxiliary S.B’s still required.


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
21 May 1891 at Freemans Terrace, Carlton, Notts  
   
Parents Names Abode
Sarah Ann Swanwick nee Walker 51 Willow Road, Carlton, Nottingham                                     
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1891 - Freemans Terrace, Carlton, Notts 1901 - Scholar 
1901 -17 Freemans Terrace, Carlton, Notts (grandparents) 1911 - Coal Miner/Hewer  
1911 - 21 Crossways Cottages, Wood End, Fillongley 1914 - Coal Miner.  at Arley?
1914 - Broomfield Cottages, Wood End, Fillongley  
   
  • Sydney's father is not named on his birth certificate 
  • His middle name of Lawrence is the surname of his grandparents