1914 Star & Bar Trio
To: 7183. Pte, L/Cpl. SIDNEY NORRIS, 1st WILTS.Regt
(Killed in Action. Age 29)
29th January 1915
& Associated Pair. To: 15116. Pte .E.W. ALFORD. Dorset Regt.
Sydney Norris was, as part of the 1st Wiltshire Regt, one of the first soldiers into France when his unit landed at Rouen on 14th August 1914 just 9 days after the declaration of war. He was killed in action on 29th January 1915 when the unit were in the trenches at Kemmel Crossroads in Belgium.
The regimental diary for 29th January states, "In trenches, a clear bright day. Several aeroplanes about. Telephone and guns fixed up. Heavy shelling at Kemmel Crossroads . A good deal of rifle fire all night. Frosty night.
One man killed (clearly Private Norris).
Being a clear and bright night it is almost certain that Norris will have been hit by a German sniper. He is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.
Son of James and Mary Norris Mere, Wiltshire and husband of Rose Alford ( formerly Norris) of Dairy House, East Stour, Dorset.
The Second pair are named to 15116. Pte E.W.ALFORD who became the second husband of Rose Norris after the death of Sidney Norris in 1915.
£-RESERVED-
MUA