Sydney Doran (1897-1918)
Shildon railway worker served in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Sydney was born in 1897, the second child of James and Isabella Doran. James and Isabella married in 1893 and had a total of seven children during their marriage. Sydney spent his childhood in Shildon, living in Adelaide Street.
Having left school, Sydney began working for the North Eastern Railways (NER) around 1911, joining his father and older brother George. Sydney left his work on the railways on 15 November 1915 to enlist in Bishop Auckland. At the time of his enlistment Sydney was working as a plater and riveter.
Sydney served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers as a private with the service number 22386. He initially served with the 2nd Battalion before being transferred to the 6th Battalion. Sydney died of wounds on 26 April 1918 and is buried at Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery in Belgium.
He is remembered on several memorials in his home town of Shildon. His effects were left to his mother Isabella, then a widow, following James’ death in 1917. Sydney’s older brother served during the war with the Royal Army Service Corps, returning to work on the railways when the war ended.
Civil Parish: Shildon
Birth date: 1897
Death date: 26-Apr-1918
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 31 Adelaide Street, New Shildon (1901 Census)
24 Adelaide Street, New Shildon (1911 Census, NER Records)
Employment: Plater and riveter (NER Records)
Family: Parents: James Doran, Isabella Doran nee Charlton
Siblings: George Charlton Doran, Annie Doran, Dorothy Doran, William Doran, Harry Doran, Thomas Doran
Military service:
King’s Own Scottish Borderers
2nd, 6th Battalions
Private
Service number 22386
Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Plaque 1914-18 North Eastern Railway, Shildon
Statue 1914-18 1939-55 Roadside, Shildon
Cross 1914-18 All Saint’s Church Yard, New Shildon
Plaque Bible Class 1914-18 Shildon Wesleyan Methodist Hall, Shildon Methodist Church
Book of Remembrance 1914-18 St. Anne’s Church, Shildon
Gender: Male
Contributed by Amanda Ede | Fiona Johnson