Thank you to Jane Anthony, Andy Bailey and Mary Hustings for the following research.
William Sydney Longhurst was the eldest son of William and Amelia of Row Mount, Coldharbour. At that time, it was common to name the eldest son in the family after his father, but would have called by their second name, so consequently he was known as Sydney. There were sixteen children in the family, five of whom served in World War One including Horace John who was also killed.
Sydney was born on 12th November 1880, and was baptised at Christ Church, Coldharbour. The Longhursts are one of Coldharbours best known families, having lived at Squires Farm in Logmore Lane, Leith Hill Place, Cockshott’s Farm, Rowmount Farm, later Weald View Cottages, and Mosses Wood. William Longhurst senior was a gardener and by 1901 he was also the Parish Clerk.
Sydney’s service number suggests that he enlisted in the Regular Army in approximately 1898, and to have to served in the First World War, probably extended his service beyond the normal seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve.
By 1911, he had been promoted to Lance Sergeant and was at the Warley Barracks in Essex.
At the outbreak of the war the 1st Battalion was stationed at Bordon Camp. He arrived in France on 19th January 1915.
“A VERY GREAT FRIEND”
AN OFFICER’S TRIBUTE
Mr. and Mrs. Longhurst, of Row Mount, Coldharbour, have received news of the death of their son, Co. Quarter Master Sergeant William Syndey Longhurst, Co. Company, the Queen’s R.W. Surrey Regt., who was killed in France by a trench mortar on April 18th. In a letter of sympathy which Mrs. Longhurst has received, Capt. Godfrey, commanding deceased’s company says : “I had served with him almost continuously for the past 14 years, and had always regarded him as a personal friend. He was always cheery, courageous and painstaking, no matter under what circumstances, and I trust it may help to comfort you, at the time of your great loss, to know that he was regarded by all whom he had dealings with throughout the battalion with feelings which amounted to love. In his loss we all feel that we have been separated from a very great friend, who it will be very difficult to replace.”
Mr. and Mrs. Longhurst have four other sons serving with his Majesty’s Forces : Henry, Royal Engineers; Horace, Leicester Regiment; Frederick, Royal Fusiliers; and Edgar. Queen’s R.W.S Regt.
Mr. and Mrs. Longhurst wish to thank all for their kind sympathy.
William Sydney Longhurst Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
In April 1916 the 1st Battalion Queen’s was holding the line south of the La Basse Canal near the villiage of Cuinchy, an area known as ‘the brickstacks’. The War had taken it’s toll on the banks of the canal and the area was known to be exceedingly wet. The battalion war diary for the 18th April 1916 notes that the day was ‘a quiet day’ in which William Longhurst and Private G/4075 William West (from Dorking) were killed and two other men wounded.
Photograph courtesy of Andy Bailey
CQMS William Sydney Longhurst and Private West were laid to rest besides one another in the Bethune Town Cemetery, France. Sydney is commemorated on the Coldharbour village war memorial.
| Born | Coldharbour, Surrey | |
| Lived | Coldharbour, Surrey | |
| Son of | William and Amelia Longhurst of Row Mount, Coldharbour, Dorking | |
| Brother of | Horace John Longhurst | |
| Enlisted | Guildford, Surrey | |
| Regiment | 1st Battalion, The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | G/5300 | |
| Date Overseas | 19th January 1915 | |
| Date of Death | 18th April 1916 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Gallantry | 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal | |
| Age | 35 | |
| Cemetery | Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France |
