Sidney Charles Wright

A Lance Corporal with the 7th Battalion, Sidney died on 12th of October 1916 at the age of 26. 

Sidney was born at Lowestoft in 1890, a son of Charles and Emma Jane Wright. Sidney was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 26 January 1890. In 1891 his family lived at 117 Saint Margaret’s Road, Lowestoft, and this was still their home in 1901. Sidney attended Church Road Board School. By 1911 the family were living at 18 Worthing Road and Sidney was primary school teacher for Lowestoft Borough Council. 

Sidney volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. This was in, or before, October 1914. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 1089, and served with the 6th (Cyclist) Battalion. He was then posted to France to join the 4th Battalion and, next, was posted to the 7th Battalion in France, with service number 43007. 

The War Diary for the 7th Battalion has:

10 October 1916

Relieved 11th Middlesex in Bulls Runs, near Flers, four companies in front line.

12 October 1916

Attack to be made on Bayonet Trench and Luisenhoff Farm. Morning very quiet.
5 a.m. Battalion lying in shell holes in front ready.
10 a.m. Major Henty went forward to advance Battalion Headquarters in Grass Street to receive reports.
2 p.m. Zero. Attack started. German barrage very intense. Battalion proceeded in four waves, each company with a platoon front.
No definite report until 6 p.m. when Battalion was back in front line having failed to attain objective.
B and D Companies gained objective, but were driven out by superior numbers.
1st Essex on right gained objective but were unable to hold it, finally and they managed to keep part of it.
Battalion withdrew to reserve in Flers Trench. 

Colonel Murphy, in history of the Suffolk Regiment, felt that the attack failed because the enemy wire had only partially been destroyed and that the British barrage was ineffective.

All fifteen officers that went over the top became casualties: eleven killed and four wounded. Ninety two other ranks were killed and, in total, the Battalion had over 500 casualties.  

Sidney was killed in action on 12 October.