Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Baum a Foreman for a Leather Board Manufacturer, born 1869 in Syston, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth, born 1870 in Syston, Leicestershire. Sydney Harold was born in 1893 in Syston, Leicestershire, his siblings were Archibald, born 1895, Irene, born 1897 and Redvers, born 1900, all his siblings were born in Syston, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Turn Street, Syston, Leicestershire, this being situated within the Ecclesiastical Parish of Syston, St. Peter. In April 1911 Sydney was employed as a Mill Hand and was residing in the family home at High Street, Syston, Leicestershire together with his parents and siblings, Archibald, Irene, Redvers, Percy, born 1902 and Harry, born 1905, both the latter two siblings were born in Syston, Leicestershire. His brother Archibald also died. The War Diary entry for the 5th December 1917 records. RIBECOURT. Lt. Col. C. TURNER returned from leave and reassumed command of the Battalion. Companies moved to billets in MOLE TRENCH (K.36.b. Sheet 57c. NE.4.). “A” Company were unable to go out to work owing to gas shelling of RIBECOURT. “B” Company wired in front of trench in L.29.c. Sheet 57c. NE.4. “C” Company reported for work to the Officer Commanding SHERWOOD FORESTERS. “D” Company reported for work to the Officer Commanding NORFOLK REGT. 6 men killed, 4 wounded a 1 sick to the Field Ambulance.