Person

Sidney, or Sydney, Asher was born in Sunderland, the eldest child of Henry and Miriam Asher, nee Immins who married in 1895. Sidney had one younger sister, Alberta. Census and birth records show Sidney’s birth to be in the first few months of 1897, although he seems to have added a few years onto his age when he enlisted. At the time of the 1901 census the Asher family were living at 33 Westbourne Road in Sunderland and Sidney’s father is listed as a jeweller general dealer. By 1911 the family had moved within Sunderland to 8 Cuba Street. Sidney’s father is now listed as a debt collector. Sidney is at school at this time, along with his younger sister.

Sidney attested into the 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI) on 28 October 1915, describing himself as a traveller. He served as a private with the service number 20/676. He was then posted the following year to the 21st Battalion DLI on 13 May 1916. Sidney embarked from Folkestone on 28 June 1916, arriving in Boulogne and joining the 20th Battalion DLI in the field the following day. On 11 July 1916 he was attached to the 9th Yorkshire Lancashire Regiment.

Sidney was wounded in the field on 16 September 1916 and admitted to hospital the following day with gunshot wounds to his right leg and foot. Service records suggest Sidney may have also been injured in his elbow. His leg injury was obviously serious and his leg had to be amputated on 18 September. Tragically Sidney died of his wounds a few weeks later, on 3 October 1916, at the 4th General Hospital in Camiers. A telegram included in his service records shortly before his death describes him as dangerously ill, too ill to be visited.

Sidney is buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery in France and is remembered on several memorials locally. One of these memorials is a brass plaque now housed at the Jewish Military Museum in London. This plaque was originally unveiled by the Mayor of Sunderland at Moor Street Synagogue, Sunderland in 1922. It was moved to Ryhope Road Synagogue, upon the closure of which it was transferred to London. The inscription on the plaque reads: “In honoured memory of the undermentioned members of the Sunderland Jewish Community who made the Supreme Sacrifice in the Great War 1914-1918.”

There is a photo of Sidney, as well as an article written in memory of Sidney by Rabbi Dr. Salis-Daiches at the following link: https://www.jewsfww.london/sidney-asher-2412.php

Civil Parish: Sunderland

Birth date: 1897

Death date: 3-Oct-1916

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 33 Westbourne Road, Sunderland (1901 census)
8 Cuba Street, Sunderland (1911 census, attestation papers)

Religion: Jewish

Employment: Traveller (Attestation Papers)

Family: Parents: Henry Asher, Miriam Asher nee Immins
Sibling: Alberta Asher

Military service:

20th Battalion DLI
Also attached to 21st DLI, 9th Yorkshire Lancashire Regiment
Private
Service Number 20/676

Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Etaples Military Cemetery, France
Book of Remembrance 1914-18 DLI, Durham Cathedral
Book of Remembrance, Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland
Plaque 1914-18 Synagogue, originally Moor Street, Sunderland
Bede Collegiate School, Sunderland

Gender: Male

Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham