Hull Pals Memorial Post. PRIVATE SIDNEY TAYLOR 10/1008. Born 20/02/1894 in York, the second of four children to Thomas Bottomley Taylor and Jane Webster Nottingham, of Wood Grange, 435 Holderness Road, Hull and Brantingham. From a wealthy family, he had three brothers. Educated at Bridlington Grammar School and a Farm Pupil at Barnard Castle. Thomas lived at Springhead Hall, prior to enlistment. Described as 5 foot, 8 inches tall, 131 lbs weight, 34-38 inch chest, fair complexion, blue eyes, auburn hair, Church of England religion. When war came he joined the long queues outside Hull City Hall and joined the 10th Battalion East Yorkshire’s (Hull Commercials), on 14th September 1914. Interestingly his elder brother Wilfred signed up at the same place three days later. Was this the first chance of a day off work or a little sibling rivalry, the move of a man not willing to be outdone by his little brother? Both men served in Egypt and on the Somme, and both made it through Oppy Wood unscathed. Sidney was killed in action on 4th November 1917 in the trenches at Arleux and is buried at Roclincourt Military Cemetery. He was 23 years old and had served in the army for one year and 85 days. His name is also recorded on the Brantingham ww1 Memorial, Hull which lists 12 names.
Thankfully Wilfred lived to cash his Army Pension and returned home, minus the brother who would have been the only member of his family who understood.
His details are recorded in the De Ruvigney Roll of Honour, Volume 4.
