Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Sidney Charles John West was born in the 2nd quarter of 1881 in Dorking to whitesmith John George and Emily West (nee Ede) of St. Martin’s Place, Dorking. He was baptised on 11th May 1881 at St Martin’s church in Dorking
Sidney’s father John was born in the 1st quarter of 1854 in Dorking to basket maker John born about 1827, and Rebecca born about 1833, both in Dorking. John was baptised on 14th May 1854 at St Martin’s Church. At the time of his baptism, the family lived in Ram Alley. His mother; Emily was born about 1853 to labourer Joseph, born about 1814 in Dorking and Mary, born about 1814 in Leigh, Surrey. Emily was baptised on 28th August 1853 in Coldharbour, Surrey. John and Emily married on the 3rd of August 1878 at St Paul’s Church in Dorking.
Sidney had three known siblings: Walter George born about 1880; Herbert W. born about 1883 and Harold E. born about 1887, all in Dorking.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Vicarage Lane, Westcott, Surrey. John was still working as a whitesmith and Emily was looking after their children: Walter, Sidney, Herbert and Harold.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 23 Meadow Brook Road, Dorking. The household further comprised of their children: invalid Walter, watchmaker Sidney, whitesmith’s apprentice Herbert, house boy Harold and John’s nephew Horace Simpson Black.
Sidney‘s father John was buried on 31st July 1907 in Dorking Cemetery.
Sidney married Annie Eva Rose in the 2nd quarter of 1910 in Petersfield, Hampshire.
Annie was born in the 1st quarter of 1891 in Havant, Hampshire to a brickyard foreman George, born about 1855 in Fareham, Hampshire and Louisa, born about 1859 in Havant.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Sidney’s mother, cook, Emily lived at 22 Lyon’s Cottages in Dorking. The household further comprised of her son, builder’s clerk, Walter and her nephew, merchant, Horace. Emily stated that she had given birth to five children of whom four were still alive. The accommodation had five rooms.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Sidney and his family lived at 15 Swan Street, Petersfield, Hampshire. Sidney was working as a watch repairer and Annie was at home. The household further comprised of Annie’s brother, motor car driver, Edwin John. The accommodation had five rooms.
Sidney and Annie had a son: Cyril S. born in the 4th quarter of 1911 in Petersfield, Hampshire.
Sidney enlisted in Petersfield, Hampshire into the Hampshire Regiment. He was a Private with regimental number 25216. Later he became part of the 5th Battalion, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was a Private with regimental number: 20300.
At the time of his death he was part of the 2/4th Battalion, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was a Private with regimental number: 203757.
Sidney was killed in an action on or since 21st March 1918 in France.
He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, on Panels 50 and 51.
He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
His wife Annie received £4, 13s and 6d on 3rd December 1919 and a further £9, 7s on 22nd March 1920 in Soldier’s Effects.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Petersfield, Hampshire | |
| Son of | John George and Emily West (nee Ede) of St. Martin’s Place, Dorking | |
| Husband of | Annie Eva Rose of Petersfield, Hampshire | |
| Regiment | 2nd and 4th Battalion. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry | |
| Number | 203757 | |
| Date of Death | 21st March 1918 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 36 | |
| Memorial | Pozieres Memorial, France |
