SIDNEY STANLEY BARRELL

Born: 1893, St. Clement’s, Ipswich.

Baptised on the 10^th August 1893, at St. Clement’s Church, Ipswich – family home at Woodhouse Street, Ipswich.

Died: 20th November 1917; age 24; KiA.

Evening Star – Friday, 7^th December 1917 – Mr. Walter Barrell, of 133, Rosehill Road, Ipswich, has received the following letter from an officer of the M.G.C., relative to the death of his brother, Lance Corporal Sidney Stanley Barrell: “He was going into action with his machine-gun, and was advancing towards the German line when a shell burst very close to him and killed him at once. Death must have been absolutely instantaneous, and he did not suffer at all. I can only offer you the consolation that he died in the bravest and noblest of ways – advancing to battle against the Germans.

Residence: 133, Rosehill Road, Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Rank: Lance Corporal; Service Number: 71529

Regiment: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 35th Coy.

Formerly 9193, Suffolk Regiment.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Memorial Reference:

Panel 12 & 13.

Cambrai Memorial,

Louveral,

France.

Relatives Notified & Address: Youngest son of the late Charles & Elizabeth Barrell, of 52, Waterworks Street, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1901   52, Waterworks Street, Ipswich.

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

Charles Barrell, 52, a Baker & Bread Maker – own account, born Ipswich.

Elizabeth Barrell (nee Brame), 49, born Stowupland, Suffolk.

Emily Barrell, 25, a Dressmaker – own account, born Ipswich.

Walter Barrell, 22, a Steam Engine Fitter, born Ipswich.

Herbert Barrell, 19, an Apprentice Steam Engine Fitter, born Ipswich.

1911   52, Waterworks Street, Ipswich.

Sidney was 17 years old, a Shop Assistant. He was living with his widowed father & brothers.

Charles, 60, a Baker – own account.

Walter, 32, an Engine Fitter.

Herbert, 29, a Baker’s Assistant.

3 boarders.

Sidney’s mother, Elizabeth Barrell, died on the 24th June 1901 in Ipswich and was buried at Section HH, Ipswich Old Cemetery.

His father, Charles Barrell, died on the 22^nd May 1911, Ipswich, and was buried with Elizabeth on the 26^th May, at Section HH, Ipswich Old Cemetery.

Soldiers’ Effects to Walter Barrell – brother.

Sidney is also remembered on the war memorial at Holy Trinity Church, Ipswich.

MACHINE GUN CORPS.

The Machine Gun Corps was formed in October 1915 as the machine gun proved effective as infantry support in trench warfare. Cavalry and Motor branches, followed in 1916 by the Heavy Branch. A depot and training centre was established at Belton Park in Grantham, Lincolnshire, and a training base depot at Camiers in France. The men were trained to a higher technical standard, capable of stripping down and mending the guns in the field.

The Machine Gun Corps had 62,049 casualties, including 12,498 killed out of 170,500 officers and men, earning it the nickname ’The Suicide Club’ mainly as machine guns were static or fixed positions, becoming prime targets for the enemy.