Old Hulmeians War Memorial 1914

SYDNEY WHITCOMBE

2 October 1893 - 6 July 1915

At School 1903 - 1910

Rifleman Z/1550 1st Rifle Brigade

Sydney was born in Levenshulme, Manchester, and in 1901, aged 7, was living at 358 Stockport Road, Levenshulme. with father Herbert, a Solicitor, elder brothers John and Percy, elder sister Edith, and younger sister Madge. Sydney's mother, Margaret, had died in 1900 and his Aunt Mary, Herbert's sister, was living with them as housekeeper together with one general servant.

At School, Sydney was a keen all round sportsman, in 1906 winning the Under 13 1 length swimming race in a time of 25 seconds and in 1906-07 representing the School at football and cricket at under 14 level, being described as having "done well with bat and ball". In 1908 he played cricket for the School 2nd XI,

"A good fielder. Has played one good innings". He was 3rd in the batting averages with an average of 7.62 and a highest score of 39 not out. In 1909 he captained the 2nd XI, "A sound batsman and has captained with success". On leaving School, Sydney became an articled clerk to a Chartered Accountant in Manchester.

On the outbreak of war Sydney enlisted in the Rifle Brigade, "Three years with the Colours", being posted to the 5th battalion, a depot and training battalion based in Winchester, on 4 September 1914. His service records survive and he is described as 5 ft 71/2 in, weighing 138 lbs, with a ruddy complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair.

After training, Sydney was posted to France, joining the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade on 1 June 1915.

THE HULMEIAN - December 1915

Rifleman Sydney Whitcombe, 1^st Rifle Brigade, was killed in action near the Yser Canal on July 6^th. 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.

Old Hulmeians War Memorial 1914 - 1919