Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel Summerfield, a grazier, born 1863 in Swarkestone, Derbyshire and his wife Alice Summerfield (nee Colclough, married on the 3rd August 1886 in Christ Church, Derby), born 1867 in Linton, Derbyshire. Sidney was born in the 1st quarter of 1896 in Osmaston, Derbyshire, his siblings were, James, born 1887 and Alice May, born 1889, the latter two siblings were both born in Linton, Dorothy Melrose, born 1891 in Willington, Derbyshire, Joseph, born 1893, Samuel, born 1895 and Albert, born 1898, the latter three siblings were all born in Osmaston, in March 1901 the family home was at Old Guadaloupe, Sysonby, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Sidney was employed as a Great Northern Railway clerk and was residing in the family home at Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, together with his father, a butcher, his mother and siblings, James, an assistant, Alice, an assistant, Dorothy, an assistant, Joseph a stationer’s assistant, Samuel a gas works clerk, Albert, a schoolboy and Eileen E., born 1910 in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.
Sidney attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) to serve One year’s Service on the 5th September 1914 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of birth as Osmaston, Derby, Derbyshire, his age as 18 years and 275 days and his trade or calling as clerk on the railway. He gave his home address as Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Samuel Summerfield, his mother Alice Summerfield and brother James Summerfield as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5 inches in height, weighed 126 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35 and 36½ inches. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 13230 on the 5/9/14. Posted to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment in Aldershot on the 24/9/14. Transferred with the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment to Folkestone on the 28/2/15. Transferred with the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment to Perham Down on the 8/4/15. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Admitted to hospital suffering from ICT (inflammation of connective tissue, in the field on the 24/9/15. Transferred to 37th Infantry Brigade Depot at Etaples on the 22/10/15. Rejoined 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 19/11/15. Killed in action, in the field on the 25/9/16. Sidney was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Sidney’s father Samuel Summerfield on the 6th November 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Rev. Blakeney, Vicar of Melton Mowbray, -?- Lodge, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Samuel Summerfield of Melton Mowbray. Mother of soldier, deceased. Full blood brothers of soldier, James Summerfield, age 32 of Melton Mowbray, Joseph Summerfield, age 27 of Melton Mowbray, Samuel Summerfield, age 25 of Melton Mowbray, Albert Summerfield, age 22 of 75, Tu-?- Road, Harlesden, -?-, Reginald Percy Summerfield, age 6 of Melton Mowbray. Full blood sisters of soldier, Alice May Pywell, age 30 of 25, Harsnett Road, Colchester, Dorothy Statham, age 28 of Derwent House, Swinbourne Road, Eaglescliffe, County Durham, Eileen Summerfield, age 8 of Derwent House, Swinbourne Road, Eaglescliffe, County Durham. Sidney’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 24-30 Sep-16 - East of TRONES WOOD. About 7.00pm on the 24th the Battalion marched up to take a position prior to making an attack the next day. Before they reached the position the enemy heavily shelled our men, several casualties resulting. At 12.30pm on the 25th the first attack was launched, the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT being in a position on the right of FLERS. The objective was the first German line, a distance of about 1000 yards from the trench from which the Battalion launched the attack. The attack was made in waves, each platoon forming a wave, and 2 waves going over at a time. The attack was launched with splendid heroism, the first objective was gained in about ¾ of an hour, the men then stopped a short time to consolidate their gain, and to allow the artillery barrage to lift. They then pressed on to their second objective which was the village of GUEDECOURT. By the time they reached the village their ranks were sadly thinner, by the tremendous artillery barrage the enemy put up, and by machine guns which wrought terrible havoc. Never the less with dauntless gallantry they pressed on reaching the village and engaging the enemy in hand to hand fighting, which took place all the night. In the morning the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT relieved the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT in the village, and the enemy were finally driven out. The 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were brought back to the second line of trenches, where they were relieved by the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT on the 28th. They then went back to SWISS TRENCH where they remained until relieved on the night of October 1st.
On Friday August 4th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” - LCE.CORPL. ERIC WARNER KILLED. Widespread sympathy will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Warner, of The Library, Melton, in the loss they have sustained by the death of their younger son, Lance-Corpl. Eric Warner, of the – Leicesters. Although the bereaved parents have as yet received no official intimation, there can be little doubt as to the truth of the report, as three different letters have been received in Melton conveying the sad news. One Melton soldier writing to his parents says; “I am afraid there will be many sorrowful homes in Leicestershire and for Leicestershire people. We have suffered rather heavily. Wall Hutteries is all right, but poor Eric Warner is killed. He was hit in the chest with a shell, and killed instantly. Please convey to his people my deepest sympathy in their sad bereavement. It will be a terrible blow to them.” The writer goes on to state that in the charge practically all his officers were either killed or wounded, and he was left with only one second-lieutenant to carry on the charge. One platoon got detached and he went through shell fire to fetch it back, then took charge of the company during the five days and five nights fighting which ensued. When they were eventually relieved and went back the Colonel of the regiment congratulated them and their splendid achievement and the heroism they had displayed on taking a vital point. He was proud of them for they had worthily upheld the glorious traditions of the Leicestershire Regiment. The following is an extract from a letter written by Pte. Sid Summerfield to a personal friend in Melton; “Of course you will have understood by what I have already written that we have done just a little towards the advance. We were placed at one of the most advanced parts where the advance is being made, and I assure you it was some warm. We had to march over three miles of conquered ground to describe it fully would take years. The land surface was in an indescribable state of confusion. Villages which have figured most prominently were nothing but ruins, and the ground was one mass of great shell holes, leaving hardly a blade of grass uncovered. Desolation reigns supreme, and even the woods, as there were only a few stumps left standing here and there, without almost the least vestige of foliage. Before making the advance on the morning of the fourteenth we crept to within a hundred yards of the German line, and there we lay for two hours, making what shelter we could in the numerous shell holes. The hour we spent out there during the bombardment will forever live in my memory. It seems to me when I look back more like a horrible dream. Shells fell like rain, or rather they appeared to and I was completely buried once. I can tell you I was mighty thankful when the order came to charge. Here we were lucky as we only met with very little machine gun fire. The artillery did their work grandly. When we got to the German trenches we found them practically levelled to the ground, half burying hundreds of dead Germans. The few that remained alive retired to another trench, but these we soon took prisoners – altogether well over 500. Altogether we did very well indeed, capturing a village, a wood, trenches and numerous machine guns. These we held for three days until we were relieved. Am glad to say we are well out of it now, having a rest. I don’t expect it will be long before we are at it again though. Our casualties were not heavy considering the gains, but alas, I am afraid poor Eric is killed. When last seen he was badly wounded in the stomach, and I’m afraid he died soon afterwards. We smoked our last cigarette together just for luck, and fancy, he is no more. Bollands was wounded in the arm, and from what I can gather only very slightly. No doubt you will be hearing from him soon, so you see I am the only one of the three left. Eric acted like a real hero as when the officers and all the other N.C.O.’s had been either killed or wounded, he took command, remaining as cool as though he was on parade, rallying his men in fine form. There is just the faintest chance that he is still alive, but I am afraid. How on earth I got through untouched I shall never be able to understand. There were very few killed, the majority being slightly wounded. Our own artillery were simply great, and to them we owe our thanks. If they can only be kept plentifully supplied with shells the war will soon be over. It all depends on that.”
On Friday September 28th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. SUMMERFIELD.- In ever loving memory of Sydney, fourth son of S. Summerfield, Melton Mowbray, killed in action in France, September 24th 1916. From Father, Brothers and Sisters.
On Friday October 13th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON SOLDIER’S KILLED. During the past week news has reached Melton Mowbray of the death of several more local soldiers. On Sunday morning Mr. S. Summerfield, butcher, Nottingham-street, received the following letter:- “3rd October, 1916. Dear Mr. Summerfield, - It is our painful duty to write and let you know that poor Sid was instantly killed by a shell on the night of the 24th September. Unfortunately neither of us was near him at the time, so his officer took his papers, and was afterwards wounded. We, being great friends of Sid, can sympathise deeply with you in your great loss. If there is anything further you would like to know, we shall be only too pleased to do anything in our power on hearing from you. Yours sincerely, W. G. Butteriss, E. Simpkins.”
The following letter was received by Mr. Summerfield on Tuesday:- “B.E.F., October 5th. Dear Mr. Summerfield, - I write to you with much regret of the sad news of your son Sidney in the recent action that took place on the 24th September, this being my first opportunity of writing. I hardly know how to write such sad news. Though I was not actually with him at the time, I learn from those who were by his side at the time that a wiz-bang shell bursted against him and caused instant death. having been a great chum of Sidney’s for many years, we always made it understood that whatever happened to either of us, one should break the news if possible, and believe me, I am awfully upset to have to write such heart broken news, yet one never knows out here when your turn may come. I saw Sidney only a few hours before he went into the line, and he was the same as he always has been – very cheerful up to the time I left him. I am sure it is very hard for me to write such sad news, but I think it my duty to tell you the truth. It’s lucky for myself that I am able to do so. Sidney being much liked amongst platoon, and always having a good heart, is very much missed by us, and those who have once more returned along with myself, wish me to send you and family their deepest sympathy. I now close my letter, this being our wish made between us to write home who ever got through safely. I remain, yours truly, Pte. H. Warner.
Pte. Sid Summerfield was the third son of Mr. S. Summerfield, and was 20 years of age. He was educated at Melton Mowbray Grammar School, where he took a foremost place in sports and athletics, and won a number of prizes. Afterwards he played for Egerton Park C.C., and in several matches made big scores, always batting in splendid style and seldom failing to punish home balls. Deceased also became a member of Melton Rugby Football Club, for whom he played half-back, and was also a member of the Young Men’s Institute. At the outbreak of the war he was employed at the Great Northern Railway Station, and at once enlisted in the Leicester’s with his friends, Butteriss, Dixon and Simpkins. It will be remembered that some years ago Pte. Sid Summerfield and his brother Alfred nearly lost their lives on the river at Sysonby, at the time their parents resided at Sysonby House, now known as the Riverside Colony. After a frost they were sliding on the river, when the ice broke, and let them in. Mrs. Summerfield and her two daughters bravely rescued them at the risk of their own lives by forming a human chain, and were afterwards awarded life saving certificates. One of the deceased’s brothers is serving with the forces at Salonika, while another is chief flying instructor at the Bournemouth School. It will be noted from the first letter that Sergt. Simpkins, who was last week stated to have been killed, is still safe.
On Friday December 22nd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “COUNTY GRAMMAR SCHOOL, MELTON MOWBRAY.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. –
George W. Eadie, Canadian Infantry, died of wounds, March 1915.
Sidney Summerfield, Leicestershire Regt., killed in action, Sept, 24th 1915.
Charles James Wright, 2nd Lieut., South Staffordshire Regiment, killed in action, 19th Oct., 1916.