Thank you to Bernice Forsyth and Mary Day from Capel Local History Group for allowing Dorking Museum to publish their research. Thank you to Jane Anthony and Lenka Cathersides for additional research. Thank you to Monica Turnbull (Niece of Sidney Button) for the photographs of Sidney.
Sidney Charles Button was born in the 4th quarter of 1898 in Bromley, Kent to boot maker and gardener Charles Frederick and Susannah Sarah Button (nee O’Clee).
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 11 Park End, Bromley. Charles was working as a bootmaker and Susannah was looking after their children Sidney and Hilda. The household further comprised of Charles’ children from his previous marriage: Kathleen, Margery, John and Doris.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at Brickfield Cottage, Capel, Surrey. Charles was working as a gardener and Susannah was at home looking after their children: Sidney, Hilda, Ella, Florence, Arthur and Albert. Susannah stated that she had given birth to six children. The accommodation had four rooms.
Sidney Button enlisted in Aldershot, Hampshire into the Royal Engineers. He was a Private with regimental number 112035. At the time of his enlistment he resided in Capel.
At the time of his death he became part of the 4th Battalion, the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment). His new regimental number was: G/60345.
Sidney Button was killed in an action on 22nd August 1918 in France aged 20.
His body was exhumed and reburied at the Gommecourt British Cemetery No 2, Hebuterne, France. This cemetery was formed in 1917 and was initially used to bury those that had been killed in 1916. In the summer of 1918 the village of Gommecourt became almost the front line and after the armistice, bodies from the surrounding area were interred in this cemetery. His grave reference number was: IV.K.8. He was identified by the cross that he was wearing.
He received the British War and Victory medals.
Sidney’s father Charles received £15, 6s and 4d on 29th March 1919 and a further £13 on 6th February 1920 in Soldier’s Effects.
Button Family History
Boot maker and gardener, Charles Frederick was born about 1866 in Bricett, Suffolk to agricultural labourer Samuel, born about 1841 in Bildeston, Suffolk and Emma (nee Thorpe). The couple married in the 4th quarter of 1861 in Cosford, Suffolk.
Sidney’s father, Charles married Alice Matilda Ingram in the 3rd quarter of 1887 in Dartford, Kent. Alice was born about 1866 in Farningham, Kent.
Sidney had four known half siblings: Kathleen Alice born in the 1st quarter of 1888; John Gladstone born in the 1st quarter of 1889; Margery Olive born in the 1st quarter of 1891 and Doris Mary born in the 4th quarter of 1894, all born in Bromley.
At the time of the 1891 Census the family lived at 5 North Street, Bromley. Charles was working as a boot maker and Alice was looking after their children: Kathleen, John and Margery.
Alice Button died in the 1st quarter of 1895 in Bromley. Charles married Susannah Sarah O’Clee in the 4th quarter of 1896 in Bromley.
Susannah was born about 1867 in Bromley to watch maker Edgar Alfred, born about 1837 in Bedford and Caroline, born about 1841 in London. Susannah was baptised on 20th October 1867 in Bromley.
Susannah and Charles had five other children as well as Sidney: Hilda May born in the 2nd quarter of 1900; Ella Maud born in the 3rd quarter of 1902; Florence Olive born in the 2nd quarter of 1904; Arthur Cyril born in the 2nd quarter of 1906, all born in Bromley and Albert Edward born in the 4th quarter of 1907 in Chigwell, Essex.
The 1931 Surrey, England, Electoral Registers reads that Charles, his wife Susannah Sarah and their sons Albert and Arthur lived at 3 Alma Villas, Hatfield Road, Ashtead, Surrey.
Sidney’s mother Susannah of 3 Hatfield Road, Ashtead was buried on the 17th of January 1947 at St Giles’ church in Surrey.
| Born | Bromley, Kent | |
| Lived | Capel, Surrey | |
| Son of | Charles and Susan Button | |
| Regiment | 4th Battalion. Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) | |
| Number | G/60345 | |
| Previous Regiment | 112035. Royal Engineers | |
| Date of Death | 22nd August 1918 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 20 | |
| Memorial | Gommecourt British Cemetery, France |
