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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 24880 Sydney BRITT - 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers


Died of Wounds on Tuesday 13th February 1917 aged 24

s britt


Military History

   
Theatre of WarMedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
Mesopotamia 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Amara War Cemetery
     
Arrived in TheatreMedal Citation (if app)SWFHS Area Memorials
7 Aug 1915 in the Balkans ~ Elmdon War Memorial
    Knowle War Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason KilledDate and Place Enlisted Knowle Soldiers Chapel 
Battle of Kut September 1914 in Birmingham  
    Other War Memorials   
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or Units Solihull War Memorial
Amarah, Iraq Pte 44177 Royal Army Medical Corps Great Western Roll of Honour 
     

Circumstances of Death

Sydney is listed as having died of wounds received in action on 13th February 1917. He was buried in Amara War Cemetery which was used by the multiple Stationary Hospitals in Amarah.We don't know when he was originally wounded and the 4th Battalion war diary for the 1st to 13th February is transcribed below but it is possible that Sydney was wounded before that.

War Diary 1st to 6th February 1917

February 1st 1917: - Attack on the 3rd line of Turkish trenches on E bank of Hai [River/Canal] by 8th Cheshire Regiment. 4th Bn S Wales Borderers in support. Artillery bombardment to distract attention was ranged on L bank of Hai 8.30 to 8.35am. On our front intense bombardment 9.45 to 9.53am. The attack was extremely successful, 150 prisoners taken.

A very tiring day finding ammunition and trench escort working partiwes, also work under R.E. The whole of the Turkish trench were in our hands by 3pm. In the night the new front line was wired and we were relieved by the 8th Brigade (3rd Division).

Casualties 1 killed, 2 wounded

February 2nd 1917: We arrived at Red Camp at 9am – all very tired. At 9.pm still very tired we started on a 10 mile march to the Thumran? Bend. We marched all  night and were just reaching  the beginning of the line we were to dig when we ran into a Turkish patrol. We were ordered back and it was then nearly daylight [on the 3rd].

February 3rd 1917: We were shelled by the enemy but got back out of artillery shell fire range. It took a greater part of the day to collect the companies together.

At 4pm D Company was sent out to try to draw the fire from the R Welsh Fusiliers who were getting badly sniped from behind. We afterwards heard that our demonstration had considerably helped the 14th Division in their attack on the W bank of the Hai. At 8.30pm  we withdrew to Q18 (1½ miles) and bivouacked.

Casualties 4 men wounded and 2 men missing

February 4th 1917: Remained in bivouacs’ about 600 S.E of Q18 and had to standby to support the Cavalry Division if required. Other wise quiet day.

February 5th 1917: Moved with Divisional Reserve to R.19 about 500 yards W of Hai and bivouacked. Men still very tired. Rested remainder of the day.

February 6th 1917: Men washed and cleaned and rested themselves all day. Joined a fatigue party at night to dig communication trench P19B – N35A. Strength 150




 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
21 Jan 1893 in Elmdon Heath ~
   
Parents NamesAbode
William Henry and Mary Aldritt Britt Elmdon Heath                         
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Lucy Mary Britt nee Hands Albert Sydney b 27 Jul 1915
1 March 1915 at Knowle Parish Church                   Norman William b 15 May 1917
   
SchoolsColleges
  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1893 - Elmdon Heath 1901 - School age
1901 - Elmdon Heath 1911 - Platelayer on Railway
1911 - Elmdon Heath  1913 - Carman with Great Western Railway                         
1915 - Stationed in Llandrindod Wells, Wales 1915 - Soldier with R.A.M.C       
1917 - Heronfield, Knowle 1915 - Soldier with South Wales Borderers
   
  • In March 1913 Sydney was a member (# 400-193) of the National Union of Railwaymen and based at Knowle
  • Sydney was serving with the R.A.M.C on 1 March 1915 when he married his wife Lucy
  • Brother of Albert Britt and William Henry Britt who also fell