SIDNEY SPURLING

Photograph courtesy of Sarah.

Sidney is remembered by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies with entrance gates, dedicated in May 1958, at Ransomes Sports Centre, Sidegate Avenue, Ipswich.

Born: 16th August 1910, at The Street, Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.

Died: 6th April 1945; age: 35; KiA at Neuenkirchen.

Residence: 13, Holland Road, Ipswich.

Employed: at Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Ipswich.

Rank: Fusilier; Service Number: 1642356.

Regiment: Royal Scots Fusiliers, 4/5th Battalion – Infantry.

The body was originally buried at Neuenkirchen. On the 3rd April 1947, the body was exhumed, identified and reburied at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.

Grave Reference:

49.E.13.

Reichswald Forest War Cemetery,

Kleve,

Nordrhein-Westfalen,

Germany.

Relatives Notified & Address: Husband of E.M. Spurling, of Ipswich.

CENSUS

1911   The Street, Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.

Sidney was 7 months old and living with his parents & siblings.

Thomas James Spurling, 53, a Roadman – East Suffolk County Council, born Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.

Mary Ann Spurling (nee Wade), 48, born Akenham, Suffolk.

William James Spurling, 23, a Gardener – Domestic, born Rushmere St. Andrew.

Arthur Thomas Spurling, 16, a Cowman – on a Farm, born Rushmere St. Andrew.

Ida Mary Spurling, 12, born Rushmere St. Andrew.

Charlie Henry Spurling, 10, born Rushmere St. Andrew.

Edith May Spurling, 5, born Rushmere St. Andrew.

1921   The Street, Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.

Sidney was 10 years and 8 months old. He attended School and lived with his parents and brothers.

Thomas Spurling, 63 years & 7 months old, a Roadman for the East Suffolk County Council.

Mary Spurling, 59 years & 1 month old, Home Duties.

William Spurling, 34 years & 1 month old, a Warehouseman for Eastern Counties Farmers Company, of Princes Street, Ipswich.

Herbert Charles Spurling, 31 years & 6 months old, a Warehouseman for Eastern Counties Farmers Company, of Princes Street, Ipswich, born Ipswich.

Arthur Spurling, 26 years & 4 months old, a Roadman for the East Suffolk County Council.

Charlie Spurling, 20 years & 8 months old, a Builder’s Labourer for Mr. E. Collins – Builders of Woodbridge.

Sidney’s parents, Thomas James Spurling and Mary Ann Spurling, died in 1932, Rushmere St. Andrew.

In 1939, Deben, Suffolk, Sidney married Edith Maud Thomas, born June 1911, Ipswich – daughter of William Thomas, a lawn mower fitter for Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Ipswich, and Agnes Thomas (nee Green), of 4, Brunswick Road, Ipswich.

Edith and Sidney had one son:

David Spurling, born July 1943, Ipswich.

ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939.

Sidney was a Painter & Decorator – Journeyman. He and Edith lived at their home – 13, Holland Road, Ipswich.

Sidney is also remembered on the war memorial at Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.

Royal Scots Fusiliers, 4/5th Battalion

4/5th Battalion:
The Battalion was part of 156th Infantry Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division.
Mid June 1940: sent to France in an unsuccessful attempt to form a second British Expeditionary Force
Late June 1940: All units were evacuated during ‘Operation Ariel’.
September 1944: Involved in the North-West Europe theatre.
January 1945: Took part in codename ‘Operation Blackcock‘ clearing of the Roer Triangle formed by the towns of Roermond, Sittard and Heinsberg. The operation was carried out under the command of the XII Corps.