Pte 303024 Sidney Francis Norris

• Age: 22
• From: Formby, Lancs
• Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers
• Died on Sunday 15th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: Pier and Face 3 C and 3 D.

Sidney Francis Norris was born in Formby in early 1895, the son of Thomas Norris and his wife Sarah Jane (nee Harrison) who were married in 1890 at St Mary's Church, Walton. Sidney was baptised on the 12th May 1895 at St Peter's Church, Formby. Before he was born his parents had two sons Ernest Harrison(1890) and Lancelot Sidney Joseph(1893) who both died in infancy. 

On the 1901 Census the family are living at 2 Cable Street, Formby. His father, Thomas, is aged 30, a grocers assistant born in Formby, his mother, Sarah J., is aged 28, born Formby, and son Sidney is aged 6 and was also born in Formby. 

On the 1911 Census the family are still living at 2 Cable Street, Formby. His father, Thomas is aged 40, and is still a grocers assistant, his mother Sarah Jane is aged 38, son Sidney Francis aged 16, is an estate agents clerk. 

Sidney enlisted as Private 32779 probably on the 11th November 1915 with the 19th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment. This assumption is based on the information from the silver war badge awarded to Pte 32778 David C. Jones. 

His service records have not survived but as he did not receive the 1915 Star he arrived in France after 01st January 1916. 

At some stage he was transferred to the 1/7 Lancashire Fusiliers as Pte 282652, then renumbered to Private 303024 with the 20th Battalion.  

Sidney was killed in action on 15th April 1917.

Lancashire Fusiliers(20th Battalion) War Diary 

VILLE-CHOLLES 

14th April 1917 – The commanding officer and a party of officers from the Batt. reconnoitred the German position and this advanced trench at M 16.a.28 upfront of Gricourt-Pontruet Road, with a view to capturing them the next morning. 

There is nothing in the diary for the 15-16th April but 16 casualties are recorded by CWGC for the 15th, sadly Sidney was one of them, the newspaper reporting he was shot by a sniper, and died instantaneously. Although it also says he was buried close to where he fell, the body was subsequently lost or destroyed. 

His death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post 25th April 1917: 

NORRIS - April 15, killed in action, in his 22nd year, Signaller S. F. Norris (Lancashire Fusiliers), only and dearly-beloved son of Mr and Mrs Norris, 2 Cable Street, Formby.  

We little thought when we parted last,  

He would no more return;  

Now he lies in a soldier’s grave  

And we are all left to mourn.  

His cheerful smile and friendly clasp  

Are pleasant to recall;  

He had a kindly word for each,  

And died beloved by all.  

NORRIS - April 15, killed action, Sidney, only son of T. and S. Norris, Formby. - deeply mourned by all at 9 Appleton Road, Walton. (Duty nobly done) [Address of the Brown family, possibly a sweetheart Amy b.1893] 

Also in the Liverpool Daily Post on 26th April 1917: 

Sidney Francis Norris, aged 22, only son of Mr and Mrs T. Norris, Cable Street, Formby, lost his life on Sunday, the 15th inst. In November, 1915, he joined the King's (Liverpool Regiment), and subsequently transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was shot by a sniper, death being instantaneous. His body was interred the same evening in a little cemetery close to where he lost his life. 

Sidney's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as his name is  inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. The memorial also serves as an Anglo-French Battle Memorial in recognition of the joint nature of the 1916 offensive and a small cemetery containing equal numbers of Commonwealth and French graves lies at the foot of the memorial.

The memorial, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, was built between 1928 and 1932 and unveiled by the Prince of Wales, in the presence of the President of France, on 1 August 1932 (originally scheduled for 16 May but due to the death of French President Doumer the ceremony was postponed until August).

The dead of other Commonwealth countries, who died on the Somme and have no known graves, are commemorated on national memorials elsewhere.

A birthday notice was placed in the Liverpool Evening Express on 15th February 1919: 

NORRIS In loving 24th birthday remembrance of our dear son, Signaller S. F. Sidney Norris, Lancs. Fusiliers (Late Pals), killed in action, April 15, 1917. (Ever remembered by his father and mother, 2 Cable Street, Formby.) 

I gave my all, for alas ! he fell with none beside to heed. 

Can a mother give more than the son she loved for England's need ?  

For justice, freedom, and for right. 

My hero has fallen in the fight,  

And though perhaps as wheat mowed down  

Won his reward - no cross, no crown. 

The Formby Times of 22nd Februay 1919 carried a similar notice:

IN MEMORIAM AND ROLL OF HONOUR. 

NORRIS - In loving 24th birthday remembrance of our dear son, Signaller S. F. Sidney Norris, Lancs. Fusiliers (Late Pals), killed in action, April 15, 1917. (Ever remembered by his father and mother, 2 Cable Street, Formby.) 

Somewhere in France in a soldier’s grave, 

Lies are only son amongst the brave.  

Only those who have lost are able to tell  

The grief for one we loved so well.  

May heavenly winds blow softly, o’er that sweet and hallowed spot, 

Though the sea divides his grave from us 

He will never be forgot. 

Soldiers Effects and Pension went to his mother Sarah J., 2 Cable Street. 

His father died, aged 85, on the 04th July 1956 at the Promenade Hospital, Southport. 

Probate:- 

NORRIS Thomas of 2 Cable Street, Formby Lancashire died 4 July 1956 at Promenade Hospital, Southport, Lancashire Probate London 3 October to Sarah J. Norris widow. Effects £3094 11s 3d. 

His mother died, aged 84, on the 05th June 1957 at Bemerside Nursing Home, Victoria Road, Formby. (from family tree). 

We currently have no further information on Sidney Francis Norris, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.