Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Easom, a bricklayer, born on the 25th July 1866 in Great Glen, Leicestershire and baptised on the 4th September 1866 in St. Cuthbert’s Church, Great Glen (son of John Easom, 1836-1893 and Ann Haycock, 1833-1912) and his wife Edith Easom (nee Freer, married in the April quarter of 1892 in the Billesdon, Leicestershire district), a dressmaker, born in the July quarter of 1867 in Stretton Parva, Leicestershire (daughter of William Freer, 1842 and Elizabeth Whetton, 1839). Sidney was born in the July quarter of 1893 in Leicester, he had one sibling, Edward Tom, born on the 11th June 1897 in Great Glen, in March 1901 the family home was at Burton Lane, Great Glen, Leicestershire.
In April 1911 Sidney was employed as a motor building apprentice and was residing in the family home at Glen Magna, Leicestershire, together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Edward, a box maker and Dennis William, born in the October quarter of 1901 in Great Glen.
FAMILY NOTE: Sidney’s brother Dennis, died in May 1917, aged 15 years and was interred on the 17th May 1917 in Great Glen Cemetery, Sidney also had another brother, Alfred Leonard who was born in the July quarter of 1904 in Great Glen and who died in January1905, aged 6 months and who was interred on the 1st February in Great Glen Cemetery.
Sidney enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 11th September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 14575. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 21 years 70 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as coach builder, presently in the employ of Messrs. H. A. Hamshaw, 21, Humberstone Gate, Leicester.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 21 years 70 days, height 5-feet 9¾ inches weight 119 lbs, chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches his complexion was described as sallow, he had hazel eyes and his hair colour was dark brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded]. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 11th September 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Thomas Easom, mother, Edith Easom, 2 brothers, Edward Tom and Dennis William, Victoria House, Great Glen, Leicestershire.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 11/9/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 11/9/14.
Posted. To 9th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 25/9/14.
Embarked. 29/7/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (unpaid). In the Field. 4/8/16.
To Hospital. In the Field. 20/9/16.
Admitted. To 1st North Midland Field Ambulance, bronchitis. In the Field. 21/9/16
Transferred. To C.R.S. In the Field. 21/9/16.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). Vice Cranfield, promoted. In the Field. 25/9/16.
Rejoined. 9th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 29/9/16.
Granted Leave. 28/12/16 – 7/1/17.
Appointed. Acting Corporal (paid). Vice Morley promoted. In the Field. 1/10/17.
Posted. To 11th (Tigers Pioneers) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. L/Cpl. In the Field. 11/2/18.
Joined. 11th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. “B” Company, V Platoon. In the Field. 12/2/18.
Reported missing. In the Field. 22/3/18.
Death presumed for official purposes to have been on or since. 22/3/18.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 11/9/14 – 28/7/15. 321 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 22/3/18. 2 years 237 days.
Total Service. 3 years 193 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 22 Mar-18 - FREMICOURT. At 9:30am Transport moved back to about H.13.c Sheet 57c. Two platoons of “C” Company withdrawn in the morning to the Army Line about J.8 and 9 Sheet 57c and the remaining two in the afternoon. At 6:00pm All Headquarters details moved up and dug in and occupied a line just behind the Army Line about J.14.b. At 4:00pm Transport moved to PIONEER CAMP, LOGEAST WOOD G.1.b Sheet 57c. 1 man of the transport was killed by shell fire. What remained of the Companies were withdrawn to the new line J.14.b. Total casualties of the operations: - 2nd Lieutenant A. ASHTON, 2nd Lieutenant C. MILLWARD and 2nd Lieutenant W. BAXTER were killed in action. Captain R. BENTLEY, Lieutenant H. H. GRUNDTVIG M.C., Lieutenant F. J. MEGGITT, 2nd Lieutenant R. J. NAYLOR, 2nd Lieutenant O. H. SEWELL, 2nd Lieutenant E. BEDSON, 2nd Lieutenant C. O. R. STEVISON were wounded. Captain J. C. SPENCER, Lieutenant A. L. HICKS, 2nd Lieutenant N. H. STEVENSON, 2nd Lieutenant A. SUMMERS are missing. 30 other ranks were killed, 106 wounded and 81 missing.
[recognitum XIII-XI-MMXXIII]