Sydney Thompson
Died of Wounds 26th July 1919
Sydney's Story
Sydney was born in Aug 1899 son of Robert and Maria Thomson. He lived in Macclesfield Road and records show him living there aged 1 in 1901 and again in 1911 when he was at school.
According to the Land Tax records he and his parents lived at that time at his grandparents house - the Snelsons.
Not much is known of Sydney’s war record. He was too young to enlist at the start of the war but was called up and joined the forces in December 1917.
He was a private in the Machine Gun Corps. In March 1918 he was badly injured, This was the time of the German spring offensive and so it is likely that Sydney was injured in that offensive. He died of his wounds in July 1919. He is buried at Shornecliffe Military Cemetery in Kent.
Herbert Henry Upton
Killed in Action 9th August 1915
Herbert's Story
Herbert Upton was born in November 1886 to John and Hannah Upton. John was a general labourer. In 1901 ‘Harry’ was living at home and working as a horticultural mechanic but by 1911 he had left home and joined the army. At that time he was serving at Timugherry, India, with the 2nd Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry aged 24.
When he died the Congleton Chronicle recorded his memorial service . “A memorial service was held at St. Luke’s on Wednesday evening. The Home Guards, followed by the Cadets, marched to the church. An impressive service was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. J.H. Armitstead. The attendance included the deceased’s father and mother, two sisters and two brothers, one of the latter being in Khaki. There is another serving with the colours.
He must have returned from India because in October 1914 he was reported in the Parish Magazine to have joined the 3rd Shropshire Light Infantry with Nr 8738. In August 1915 he was serving abroad but in hospital and ‘going along well’ . In September Lance Sergeant Upton was reported to have been killed in action on 9th August 1915. He received the 1914/15 Star, Victory Medal and the War Medal. There is no known grave but he is recorded on Panel 47 and 49 Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres.
'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.'
Extract from 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon