No. S/7743, Private, Sydney George COLEMAN
Aged 21
Rifle Brigade, 8th Battalion
Accidental Death on Monday 3rd May 1915
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Born in Lakenheath, registered Mildenhall Q2-1894 [4A:756].
1901 census:...Aged 7, he was living at Sandpits, Lakenheath with his father, Charles COLEMAN, [61] widower, mole catcher, born Lakenheath; sisters Ethel [15], Amy [11] and Selena [5]; brothers Arthur [13] and Fred [9]. All born Lakenheath, It appears that his mother was Elizabeth Emily KENT, from Berkshire, who married Charles COLEMAN, Mildenhall Q4-1878 [4A:1077] and died around 1896. Her death has not been identified. 1911 census...He seems to be aged 17, as George ?, farm labourer, at Anchor Lane, Lakenheath with father and sister Amy From his Army records he had living in 1919, four brothers, Charles [1881]; Harry [1883]; Arthur [1888] Fred [1892] and four sisters Lily [1879]; Alice [1885]; Ethel Grace [1887]; Amy [1890] |
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He appears to have been a gardener, living at 12 New Brent Road, Hendon with his sister Ethel Grace RAVEN when he enlisted on 1st January 1915 in the Rifle
Brigade. He was serving at Rushmoor Camp, Aldershot. At a Court of Enquiry at Aldershot it was determined his death was accidental. During bayonet training, he entered a trench, last of a file, and when
the man in front reversed his rifle to attack the dummy with the butt end, his bayonet struck Sydney, resulting in Sydney's death. His Army service did not qualify him for any medals. |
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