SYDNEY WHITCOMBE
2 October 1893 - 6 July 1915
At School 1903 - 1910
Rifleman Z/1550 1st Rifle Brigade
THE HULMEIAN - December 1915
Rifleman Sydney Whitcombe, 1st Rifle Brigade, was killed in action near the Yser Canal on July 6th. He entered the School in September 1903, and left in July 1910. He played for the School in cricket and football, being on the first teams in 1909 and 1910 and afterwards made good scores for the Levenshulme Cricket Club. He met his death while carrying ammunition across the open to a position just captured from the Germans. The circumstances have been described in a letter from a comrade. Early in the day Whitcombe’s company had occupied the trench left by the attacking company, and after a few minutes in their new position they had word that a severely wounded corporal was lying 50 yards out in the open, and “would anyone attempt to bring him in?” Yes, Whitcombe and his two comrades got a stretcher, went over and brought him back, but as the trench was crowded they had to walk along the parapet for many yards under heavy fire before they could get down. On returning to the line they were ordered to try to get through with ammunition to the captured trench, and had reached the edge of it, crawling along and rolling the boxes over and over, when Whitcombe was hit by snipers, who had the spot marked. His brave comrade remained with him for six hours, unable to move him, and left him with sand bags piled round him to get help, which unfortunately came too late. Rifleman Whitcombe’s bravery was reported to the Major-General commanding the division, who, before his death was known, sent him a card as follows:”Your Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander have informed me that you have distinguished yourself by conspicuous bravery in the field. I have read their report with much pleasure.”
This card is practically the equivalent of the D C M.