Military History

Theatre

Action/Battle/Other

Battle of the Somme

Place of Death

near La Cateau

 

Medals

Medal Citation (if app)

~

Enlisted Date/Place

March 1915 in London

Previous Regiments/Units

~

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)

Red Cross Records (see below) show that Sydney was wounded in the lower back and then captured during a failed attempt to capture Gommecourt on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme and died 18 days later. We have not yet been able to identify where he was held but where he is buried at La Cateau was in German hands and had large military facilities. He died of wounds to his lower back and pelvis. The battalion war diary shows that on the day he was captured the battalion had been in the lines at Hebuterne and were ordered to join the attack on Gommecourt which ultimately failed but, according to the diary, did inflict large scale casualties on the enemy.

Front Lines Map - 1st July 1916	Red Cross POW Record	La Cateau Cemetery

Birth Date & Place

Baptism Date & Place

Parents

Henry and May Olorenshaw of Priors Marston

Wife & Marriage

Children

None

 

 

Occupation(s)

• 1907 - Appointed to Post Office in March
• 1911 - 1915 - Civil Service Clerk

Schools & Colleges

• Strand School, London

Address History

• 1891 - Priors Marston
• 1901 - Southam Road, Priors Marston
• 1911 - 119 Elgin Road, Seven Kings, Ilford
• 1916 - 62 Eastwood Road, Goodmayes, Essex

Other Information

Back to Index