In Flanders Fields……Sidney Rich

Sidney RICH

Geddington Roll of Honour 1914-18

Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery

Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery

Rank: Private
Service No: 2269
Regiment/Service: East Surrey Regiment 9th Battalion
Date of Death: 26/09/1915, Killed in action, aged 35
Cemetery: Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France – Grave: XI. E. 1.

Personal Information

The census information reveals a complicated family life and changes in circumstances for the young Sydney. His parents were William Henry & Sarah Jane Hammett (nee Rich) and he was born in Northampton in 1880

His Marriage to Rebecca Denton Roberts took place in 1903 and they had three children;
William Sidney Rich (b. 1903)
Lucy Mary Rich (b. 1910)  Lucy was baptised in Weldon church.
Stanley Leonard Rich (b. 1914)

Sydney enlisted in Kettering. His service record states ‘26.9.15 death presumed’

Cabaret-Rouge Cemetery near Souchez is the last resting place of over 7,500 British servicemen. It was named after the distinctive red brick cafe which stood at the heart of the village before it was destroyed by heavy shelling in May 1915.

1881 Census: 11, Brier Court, Northampton
William H Hammett (father); Aged 37; shoe riveter; b. Finsbury
Sarah J Hammett (mother); Aged 29; b. Southwick, Sussex
Francis E Hammett (brother); Aged 11; b. Lewes, Sussex
Harry Hammett (brother); Aged 9; b. Northampton
Emily L Hammett (sister); Aged 7; b. Northampton
Agnes E Hammett (sister); Aged 5; b. Northampton
William Hammett (brother); Aged 2; b. Birmingham
Sidney Hammett; Aged 2 months; b. Northampton
.

1891 Census: Althorp Street, Northampton
Sarah Hammett (mother); Aged 39; charwoman
Harry Hammett (brother); Aged 19; labourer
William Hammett (brother); Aged 13
Sidney Hammett; Aged 11
Mary A Hammett (sister); Aged 7; b. Northampton
.

1901 Census: 29, Tresham Street, Kettering
Sidney Rich; Aged 21; builders carter
Mary Rich; Aged 18; boot fitter
.

1911 Census: Wood Road; Geddington
Sidney Rich; Aged 30; ironstone labourer – married 7 years
Rebecca Rich; Aged 28 – 3 children, 2 living
William Sidney Rich; Aged 7; b. Geddington
Lucy Mary Rich; Aged 10 month; b, Geddington