Sydney Smithers Shorter was born in April 1892 in Faversham, baptised on the 24th June 1892 at St Mary of Charity, Faversham. He was the second son of six children to Frederick Shorter, [born April 1865, Gravesend, died Gravesend, December 1935], an agent for a photographer, and Emma Florence (née Hatch), [born 6th September 1871, in Northfleet, died in Dartford 1940], who were married on the 25th December 1889 at St Marks, Rosherville, Kent.

Sydney was one of seven children, Harold Edward [born 9th December 1894, Gravesend, died March 1977, Gravesend, he married a Sarah A. Stranks, born September 1927], George Frederick [born June 1897, died January 1899], Stanley, [born June 1899, died September 1899], and Richard Hatch, [born 20th March 1901, married an Edith Ellen Shirley, {born 10th November 1900 Lewisham in June 1923, she died June 1975}, he died 23rd October 1976]. A male 'Shorter' was born in December 1890 but also died in December 1890 as did another child.

In 1901 the family were living at 31 Terrace Street, Gravesend, living with them was Sydney’s grandfather Richard Hatch (his mother’s father) and a family of three visitors.

Sydney's grand parents were Edward Smithers Shorter, born April 1844, died October 1911, and his wife Sarah Elizabeth nee Lamburn, born 1843, married October 1862, died in September 1918.

They had three children, Frederick Shorter, John Shorter, born July 1867, married a Ann Jane Keeling, [born October 1866 died in October 1900], he remarried again in October 1892, he died December 1939 and Ellen M. Shorter, born April 1874.

Sydney was working as a Second Mate on a tug in 1911, and living at home with his mother and younger brothers Harold Edward (1894-1977) and Richard Hatch (1901-1976). All three surviving sons had middle names relating to their grandfathers.

Sydney was a crew member aboard the S.S. Combe.

S.S. Combe ship number 135180, of 2,030 tons was a non-commissioned ammunition ship which was lost on 12th October 1915 on a voyage from UK to Archangel. The cause was not recorded. S.S. Combe was a steel steam sloop of 2030 tons, length 83.88m (275 ft) breadth 11.88m (39 ft) and had a draught of 5.66m (18.6 ft). Owned by Stephenson & Clarke Ltd and registered in London, the shipmaster was a W. Lawrence.

The SS. Combe ship number 135180, was chartered by the RFA in 1915 to be used as an ammunition ship. On her last trip she was bound for Archangel from the Mersey, leaving Liverpool on the 12th October 1915 loaded with ammunition. She lost her escort on the 14th October 1915 and was presumed lost. Lloyds posted her as missing with all hands on the 31st December 1915. Her end appears to be a mystery. The SS Combe was built by Wood & Skinner & Co. Ltd., at Newcastle in 1912.

On the 1939 Register his mother was living at 38 Heath Street, Dartford, Kent with her son Richard [born 20th March 1901], and wife Edith, [born 10th November 1900], plus their three young children.

Acknowledgements to :- Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne

Sidney Smithers Shorter is remembered at South Shields on S86.005, and in our Ship's Crew List.

Tyne and Wear Archive history of Stephenson Clark
S.S. Combe compensation award
The CWGC entry for Seaman Shorter