Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment.
Killed in action Friday 14th May 1915, age 23.
Chester Farm Cemetery, Belgium.
Former student of electrical engineering.
Sidney, eldest son of Arthur Thomas, a warehouseman, and Grace Gudgeon, was born on 10th January 1892 at Manchester. He was educated at Ducie Avenue School and entered the University of Manchester in 1909 on a Manchester City Council Scholarship. In 1912 he was awarded a Certificate of Technology (Electrical Engineering). In his final year his father, who worked for C.J. Franks on Portland Street, was promoted to salesman. After completing his course Sidney was employed as an Electrical Designer.
Sidney was a member of the University Officer Training Corps from 1909 to 1913 attaining the rank of corporal. On the outbreak of war he applied for a commission, was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant to the Reserve Battalion of the Manchester Regiment in August 1914, and promoted to Lieutenant in February 1915 joining the 2nd Battalion at the front.
Whilst in action at Neuve Chapelle on 1st April 1915 he was wounded and taken to hospital in France. On his return to the trenches he received a second wound from which he recovered and again re-entered the firing line. On 14th May 1915 he was killed by a bullet whilst superintending the digging of a new trench near to the German lines. Brigadier F.S. Maude said in a letter of sympathy “He is missed terribly, and will be missed not only in his regiment, but in the brigade. I only wanted to say first, how sorry I am, and secondly, how much your son’s services and devotion to duty were appreciated”.
Sidney left effects worth £138 7s 7d to his father.