Sydney Whitworth

Sydney Whitworth was born in 1898 at Mansfield and was the son of Henry a goods carter and Dorothy Whitworth née Ellse of 10 Clumber Street, Mansfield. His father Henry was born in 1850 at Clipstone, his mother Dorothy Ellse was born in 1854 at Newton, Derbyshire, they were married in 1875 their marriage was recorded in the Mansfield Registration district, they went on to have 18 children, sadly 6 were to die in infancy or early childhood, their children listed on the 1901/1911 census were, Frederick b1880, Edward b1882, Horace b1886, Walter b18888, Ethel b1889, Percy b1891, William b1892, Frank b1894, Bernard b1897, Sydney b1898 and Dorothy b1901, all were born in Mnasfield. In the 1911 census the family are living at 10 Clumber Street, Mansfield and are shown as Henry 61 yrs no occupation listed, he is living with his wife Dorothy 57 yrs and their children, Frederick 31 yrs a gardeners labourer, Edward 28 a farm labourer, Horace 25 yrs a gardener, Ethel 22 yrs a domestic, Percy 20 yrs a house painter, William 19 yrs a labourer on the midland railway, Frank 17 yrs a carter, Bernard 14 yrs a wooden box maker, Sydney 13 yrs a scholar and Dorothy 10 yrs a scholar.

farm hand

92 Rosemary Street, Mansfield.

Private Sydney Whitworth enlisted on 5th June 1916, he gave his age as 18 years and 66 days, his address was Hawthorne View, 92 Rosemary Street, Mansfield, he gave his occupation as that of a farm hand and his next of kin was his father Henry of the same address. He was posted to the North Staffordshire Regiment and landed in France on 8th June 1917 having embarked from Folkstone the previous day. He was transferred to the Sherwood Foresters Regiment on 29th June 1917 and was killed in action on 30th July 1917. Having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

His brother Private Percy Whitworth enlisted at Mansfield, he initially served with the service number 38949 in the Lincolnshire Regiment, he was serving with the King's Own Scottish Borderers Regiment when he was killed in action on 15th September 1916, having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Private Bernard Whitworth enlisted on 23rd October 1914 at Mansfield, giving the false age of 19 yrs, (he was born in 1897 and therefore only 17 yrs of age) He only stood 5ft and 3 and half inches tall. He gave his address as 92 Rosemary Street, Mansfield and stated he was a coal miner working at Warsop main colliery, his next of kin as his father Henry of the same address. He was posted to the Sherwood Foresters Regiment and embarked from Southampton on 26th February 1917. He was transferred on the 25th August 1918 to the Royal West Surrey Regiment (1/24th London Regiment. He was killed in action on 30th October 1918, having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial. Mansfield Reporter, 1 December 1916 (extract): 'Mansfield Tribunal. Six Sons Fighting. A Splendid Record. Sidney Whitworth, 18 years and eight months, residing at 92, Rosemary-street, employed at Messrs. Eden and Sons, was appealed for by his father on the ground that six of his brothers were in the army, and this lad was the main support of the home. Applicant said he was a widower and had not been able to follow any regular employment for six or seven years. In reply to the Chairman, Whitworth said he received an allotment from two of his sons. Of the six men in the army three were single, and lived at home. One daughter looked after his home, and a younger one had just started work. There was one son employed on the railway and he was exempted. The decision was that this youth be put back until February 28th (final).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, ‘Acknowledgements’, 31 August 1917: ‘Mr H Whitworth and Famliy desire to thank their friends for the many expressions of sympathy received in their sad bereavement.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 31 August 1917, report with photograph: ‘Brave and Fearless. How a Mansfield Man Died. A fine tribute has been paid by his officer to Private S Whitworth, who was killed in action early in the present month. Deceased was the youngest son of Mr Whitworth, 92 Rosemary-street, Mansfield, and five of his brothers are serving with the Colours, while one [Percy] has been missing since September last, and is believed to have been killed. The first news of the sad event was conveyed in the following letter to the deceased’s sister from a comrade at the front. ‘Dear Miss Whitworth. I now have a few minutes, so I think I will write you a few lines as regards a good comrade. It is with mine and his other comrades’ deepest sympathy that I have to break the news, but I think it my duty to let you know that your brother fell doing his duty for his King and his country, and although it was his first time in action he did a lot more than a great many that come out here. I hope that you won’t think wrong of me in writing to you, but I had to share a parcel that came for him amongst our platoon, and I am sending you the letter back inside, and, of course we all would rather have him than have done the sharing, which he always did. I am sure he is missed, and I know he won’t be forgotten in a hurry. I expect you have had the news before this, but it is for a pal’s sake I write. Well, I know this sad news will put you about, but cheer up, and you can always have the pleasure of saying that he died like a man and one good thing for his sake, his death was instantaneous and he suffered no pain. I expect his things will be forwarded on to you, and if I know of anything that will be of any good to you, or can do you a bit of service any time, I shall be only too glad to do so. I know it is a big blow, but bear it like your brother did. I am sure you have mine and all platoon chums’ deepest sympathy. From your brother’s comrade, W Bullock.’ The father has since received the following letter: ‘Dear Mr Whitworth. I have just had a letter from the front informing me that your son, Private S Whitworth, Sherwood Foresters, was killed in action on the 2nd inst. I was very grieved to hear the sad news, for he was one of the gallant men, under my command, who attacked the Germans on July 31st. Not only did he fight bravely but he has never shown the slightest sign of fear, and has always been a willing and hard-working man. I am certain that his comrades will feel the loss immensely. I had always taken a keen interest in your son, and you have the one consolation of knowing that he has died a noble death. May I join you in your sad loss. Yours sincerely, WG Lilley (2nd. Lieutenant).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)