Adkins, Sidney Johnson

Sidney was born at Forest Gate, Essex, the eldest son of Albert and Emily (nee Johnson) of Ashwell, born on 10 May 1893. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.

Sidney first enlisted with the Hertfordshire Yeomanry, Dragoon Guards, on 10 November 1915, Regimental Number 2877. He then transferred to the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line, Regimental number 106041. He served in both the Balkan and Mesopotamian Theatres of War. He survived the War.

Sidney was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

The 1901 census shows the family living in Ashwell, with Sidney a 7 year old scholar. Sidney had five brothers and four sisters as shown on the 1911 census, and when they and his parents moved to London Sidney stayed in Ashwell, lodging with his aunt Fanny and working as an assistant in her general stores in the High Street.

Sidney married Frances Winifred Mary Wright in the second quarter 1931 in Cambridgeshire.

The 1939 census shows them living in the Gamlingay area of South Cambridgeshire, with Sidney a newsagent roundsman with van.

He died in the Hitchin district in December 1969.