In October 1914,
Chailey Parish Magazine notes that Sydney Mitchell is serving his King and Country.
In October 1915 it adds: Mitchell, Bombardier W, RGA, Dardanelles. This is probably an error on his first name initial as in December
1915 the entry reads: Mitchell, Bombardier S, RGA, Dardanelles.
In April 1916,
it is noted that Bombardier Mitchell is in Salonika and he appears to have served throughout the war, his name appearing
in the final roll call published in July 1919 as: Mitchell, Bombardier S, RGA.
It seems likely
that Sydney Mitchell is Wallace Sidney Mitchell who was one of six Chailey brothers who served during the First World
War. He was the second youngest child in a family of nine children (eight of
them boys). His parents, Charles and Emily Mitchell, were married in 1880 and
by the time the 1881 census was taken they were living at 1 Upper Birchland, Newick.
Both were aged 22 with Charles (born in Lindfield) working as an agricultural labourer.
Ten years on, by the time the 1891 census was taken, Charles and Emily were living at what looks like Plummers Den
Cottage No 1 in Lindfield and had five children: Charles Mitchell (aged nine),
Henry J Mitchell (aged eight), Alfred Thomas Mitchell (aged six), John Mitchell (aged three) and Albert Basil Mitchell (aged
eleven months).
By the time the
1901 census was taken the family was still living at the same Lindfield address but there were now more brothers – and
a sister. New arrivals and their ages in 1901 were: Elsie Mitchell (aged seven),
Walter Mitchell (aged five), Wallace Sidney Mitchell (aged four) and Maurice Gilbert Mitchell (aged nine months).
The National Archives
notes his army service number as 40071 and his rank, latterly, as corporal. Sidney
Mitchell’s brothers Albert, Alfred, Henry, John, and Maurice, all survived the First World War. Their distant relatives, the Plummer brothers,
were less fortunate. Albert, Alexander and Owen Plummer all lost their lives.
Sources and Acknowledgements
- 1881 Census of England and Wales
- 1891 Census of England and Wales
- 1901 Census of England and Wales
- England
and Wales, Civil Registration
Index: 1837-1983
- The National Archives’
on-line medal information card index
- Chailey Parish Magazine
