Heslop’s Local Advertiser 22/09/1916
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Sydney James Shearer was born 1886 at Darlington, County Durham, the only son as well as 2 daughters born to stone mason Alexander Shearer of Gifford, Haddingtonshire, Scotland born 1861, and his wife Margaret Eleanor Siddall born 1865 at Preston. His parents were married at Darlington in 1882, however by 1891 they had moved to Collingwood Terrace and Roman Road at Westoe, South Shields. Unfortunately, his marriage was short lived as his wife died in the district of Newcastle in September 1904, aged 38. October 20th 1904 Sydney James, also employed as a stone mason, married Sarah Jane Thompson in the district of Carlisle, perhaps choosing to marry quietly without too much fuss so soon after his mother’s death. In 1911 his father Alexander was living as a widower along with his daughter Maud at 14, Bolam Street, Byker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was still employed as a stone mason, Maud as a waitress in a restaurant. As for Sydney and Sarah they now had 3 children Maud born July 9th 1905, Minnie Isabel born December 23rd 1907 and Mary born January 30th 1911, they also lived at Byker at 5 Walker Terrace. At the time of his enlistment his wife was pregnant and gave birth to their youngest child, Sydney James Jnr., December 1st 1914.
Sydney James Shearer enlisted September 14th 1914 at Felling, where the family were now living at 16, Ridley Terrace. He declared he had previously served in the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Durham Light Infantry and was assigned to the 13th (Service) Battalion as Private 19270, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, June 10th 1914. The 13th Battalion attached to the 68rd Brigade, 23rd Division moved to Aldershot in November and on to Willesborough, Kent in March 1915 and by May they were at Bramshott. During his time in training he rose through the ranks and was appointed Lance Corporal, January 20th 1915. As part of the British Expeditionary Force the Division landed at Boulogne, August 26th 1915 concentrating near Tilques. September 5th, they were attached to the III Corp and moved to Merris-Vieux for trench familiarisation from the 20th and 27th Division, taking over the front-line sector between Ferme Grande Flamergrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right by the 14th. During the Battle of Loos, they were in action holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On March 3rd, they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid-April, they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid-May when they again took over the front line, just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge on April 21st 1916. On June 11th 1916 the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme at Albert which included the capture of Contalmaison, followed by the Battles of Bazentin Ridge and the Battle of Delville Wood which raged from July 15th-3rd September 1916.
It was during the period of the Battle of Delville Wood that Sergeant 19270 Sydney James Shearer Durham Light Infantry was killed in action, August 3rd 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France, which commemorates servicemen from the British Empire who died in the sector 1915-1918 and have no known grave.
Prior to going into action Sergeant Shearer made a will which stated quite simply that he left, “all to wife”, consequently his widow Sarah Jane received all monies due to him and also the return of a small book, December 15th 1916. She was awarded a pension for herself and their 4 children of 23 shillings and 6 pence a week from February 19th 1917. His awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at her new address of 17, Coxon Street, were received in 1920.
Sydney James Shearer Jnr. died June 2000 at Redbridge Essex, aged 86, details of widow and other children unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 22/09/1916 carries an In Memoriam notice which reads:
“Private Sidney Shearer, Machine Gun Section, D.L.I. killed in action on August 3rd, aged 30 years. Husband of Sarah Shearer, 16, Ridley Terrace, Heworth.
Sydney James Shearer is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
