Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Handley, a blast furnace engine driver, born 1852 in Handsworth, Staffs., and his wife Emily, born 1851 in Ivinghoe, Bucks. Sydney Wilfrid was born in 1893 in Wellingborough, Northants., his siblings were, Percy, a shoe trade finisher, born 1885, Frances, born 1889, Horace, born 1890 and Beatrice, born 1893, all his siblings were born in Finedon, Northants., in March 1901 the family home was at 40, Bedale Road, Wellingborough, Northants. In April 1911 Sydney was employed as a farm wagoner and was residing as a boarder at High Street, Harlaxton, Lincs., his family had moved from Northamptonshire and were residing at Welby Lane, Sysonby, Leics. On Friday September 7th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – MELTON EX-SOLDIER’S DEATH. Early on Wednesday morning the death occurred at his residence in Welby Lane of Pte. Sidney Wilford Handley, 19th Hussars. Deceased joined the army four and a half years ago, and served in the present war two years and nine months. During that time he was wounded once and four times gassed, as a result of which his health broke down, and he was discharged on the 20th July. Pte. S. W. Handley, who was 24 years of age, was the youngest of four brothers who have served their country. Sergt. J. H. Handley, of the Leicester’s was discharged twelve months ago, Sapper Percy Charles Handley is in the Royal Engineers, and Gunner Horace Handley is with the Royal Field Artillery in India, he having been previously wounded in France. The funeral takes place at Sysonby on Monday. On Friday September 14th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – MILITARY FUNERAL. With military honours the remains of the late Pte. Sidney Wilford Handley, 19th Hussars, (son of Mr and Mrs John Handley, Welby Lane, Melton Mowbray), whose death we recorded in our last issue, were laid to rest on Saturday afternoon in Sysonby Church-yard, the funeral taking place earlier than had been arranged in consequence of one of his brother being compelled to return to military duties. The Rev. S. D. Middleton was officiating clergyman and the mourners were: Mr and Mrs John Handley (father and mother), Mr John H. Handley (brother), Mrs Bunyan (sister), Mr Ezra Bunyan (brother in law), Sapper Percy Handley, Royal Engineers (brother), Mr Jack Handley and Mr Percy Handley (nephews), Sister Beatrice Robinson, Miss Edith Fisher (fiancée), Miss Beatty Bunyan (cousin), and Pte. A. Robinson, A.S.C. The Melton Remount Depot supplied the bearers, and a contingent of the Royal Flying Corps., followed. A firing party was furnished from Glen Parva Barracks under Sergt. Harris and Lce-Corpl. Ringham, and they were accompanied by a bugler who sounded the Last Post.. Floral tributes were sent by friends from Welby Lane (2), Mr and Mrs John Handley, Mr J. H. Handley, Miss E. Fisher. Mrs Bunyan, Sister Beatrice Robinson, Mrs Birch, Mrs Shelton, Miss Jenny Townsend, Mrs Eldridge and family and Mrs Melbourn and children. In the same issue the following further article was published under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – THANKS. Mr and Mrs John Handley, Welby Lane, wish to return their sincere thanks to all kind friends for their help and sympathy in their bereavement. The Medal Rolls record that Sydney was awarded the 1915 Star, British and Victory Medal’s, he first entered the theatre of war on the 26th January 1915, and was discharged as medically unfit for further service on the 18th July 1917.