Category: Military
Rank: Rifleman R/47037
Regiment or Ship: 18th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Regiment
Service Number(s): R/47037
Occupation: Baker
Date of Birth: 1883
Place of Birth: Bexhill
Date of Death: 03.10.1918
Place of Death: Belgium
Place of Burial / Memorials:
1) Vichte Military Cemetery V D 9.
2) Bexhill Town Memorial.
3) Bexhill United Reformed Church Memorial.
Address: 16 Windsor Road, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
Click on any image to see a larger version
Family Information
Parents: George William Jewhurst, born 1836 in Northiam, Sussex, and Margaret Jewhurst (nee Wood), born 1848 in Newhaven.
Siblings:-
Catherine Jewhurst, born 1877 in Eastbourne.
Albert Charles Jewhurst, born 1880 in Bexhill. W0215 JEWHURST Albert Charles
Ernest W. Jewhurst, born 1888 in Bexhill.
Spouse:-
Sydney married Minnie Batchelor in 1909 and they had a daughter, Doris Minnie in 1910, and a son, Sydney A. G. in 1912.
In 1891 George and Margaret’s family were living at 7 Holliers Hill and George was a baker. By 1901 they had moved to 18 Windsor Road and Sydney’s brothers, Albert and Ernest, had joined the bakery business with their father while Sydney was working as a blacksmith. However, by 1911 Sydney, then living at 16 Windsor Road, was in partnership with his brother as Jewhurst Bros. of Windsor Road.
First World War Experience
Unfortunately, Sydney’s service records have not survived but we can deduce, from other sources, some of his war service.
He enlisted with the Army Reserves about 18th December 1915 and joined the King’s Royal Rifles in April 1918. He served in the Western European Theatre of War in France, Flanders and Belgium. He was sadly killed on 3rd October of that year. The following article was printed in the Bexhill Chronicle on 19th October 1918 (the date of death is given as 2nd but can be confirmed as 3rd by official sources):-
“News has been received that Rifleman Sidney G. Jewhurst, King’s Royal Rifles, of the firm of Jewhurst Bros., bakers of Windsor Road, was killed action on October 2nd, being 36 years of age. He was the junior partner in the business with his brother, and had been in partnership for about 13 years. He joined up six months ago, and had his first and last leave on September 4th. Mrs. Jewhurst has received a letter of sympathy from his chaplain, saying that her husband took part in an advance, and was killed instantaneously.”
The following article appeared, together with a photograph of Rifleman Jewhurst, in the Bexhill Observer dated 19th October, 1918:-
“Much regret is felt that Rifleman Sydney George Jewhurst, King’s Royal Rifles, has been killed in action.
He was the junior partner of Messrs. Jewhurst, Bros., bakers, and had been in partnership for 13 years. The Bexhill bakers’ combination left him free to join up about six months ago. He was home on leave in September.
The sad news came in a letter from a chaplain, who wrote to Mrs. Jewhurst:-
“On the 2nd October he took part in the advance. The machine gun fire of the enemy was very severe. You husband was hit in the stomach, and those who were with him tell me he was killed instantaneously. I know it must be a great blow to you, but for his sake you must try to bear it bravely. It was my privilege to meet your husband the first day he joined the Battalion and I saw him almost daily after that. We had become great friends, and I felt a great interest in him. I am the chaplain appointed to the Congregationalists and other Nonconformists of the Brigade. Your husband has given his life for others. He has taken part in a victorious advance and has gone to receive a victor’s reward. I know he was a true Christian, and though he had been with us so short a time he was highly respected, and many of the younger men looked to him for help in their difficulties. Please accept my deepest sympathy to yourself and family, along with that of the officers and men of the Battalion.”
Mr. Jewhurst was a member of Bexhill Congregational Church, and was 36 years of age. He leaves a widow and two children.
In the Bexhill Observer dated 27th September 1919 the following In Memoriam notice appeared:-
“JEWHURST. – In ever loving memory of my dearest Husband and our dear Daddy, Rfm. S. G. Jewhurst,, late 18th Batt. K.R.R., who gave his life at Cheluwe, Belgium, October 2nd 1918. ‘Those who we love are safe in the Saviour’s keeping, hereafter we shall meet’.”
Sydney was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal and his effects, according to the Army Registers of Soldiers Effects, amounted to £6.1s.11d. – including £5 War Gratuity.