Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Roberts, an agricultural labourer, born 1851 in Cascob, Radnorshire, Wales and his wife Jane Roberts (nee Lloyd, married 26th July 1879 in the Evancoyd Radnorshire, Wales district), born 1858 in Evancoyd, Radnorshire, Wales. William Sidney was a schoolboy and was born in q4 1887 in Wigston Magna, Leics., his siblings were, Arthur, a schoolboy, born 1881 in Herefordshire, Albert L., a schoolboy, born 1882, Walter B., a schoolboy, born 1884, Henry George, born 1886 and Willoughby C., born 1890, the latter four siblings were all born in Wigston Magna, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Newgate End, Wigston Magna, Leics. In March 1901 William was employed as a newsboy and was residing in the family home at Paddock Street, Wigston Magna, Leics., together with his father, an agricultural labourer, his mother and siblings, Arthur, a domestic gardener, Albert, an agricultural labourer, Henry, a greengrocer’s assistant, Willoughby, Mary E., born 1893, Maud, born 1898 and Cecil John, born 1900, the latter three siblings were all born in Wigston Magna, Leics., also residing with the family was his maternal cousin, Andrew Edgar William Lloyd, born 1899 in Abergwynfi, Glamorganshire Wales. In April 1911 William was employed as a shoe trade machinist and was residing in the family home at 33, Paddock Street, Wigston Magna, Leics., together with his father, an agricultural labourer, his mother and siblings, Mary, a laundress, Maud, a hosiery trade worker, Cecil and Eleanor Jane, born 1902 in Wigston Magna, Leics., also residing with the family was his cousin, Andrew Lloyd. In the 2nd quarter of 1914, William married Emma E. Twigg in the Leicester marriage registration district. They resided at 24, New Bridge Street, Leicester.
The War Diary for today records. Orders received from Brigade to hold the Battn in readiness for an attack. 137th Inf Bde attacked BUCQUOY GRABEN between RETTEMOY FARM and BUCQUOY. 138th Bde in Reserve.