Sidney Best (1896-1915)
Remembered on the Staindrop memorial served with Yorkshire Regiment
Born in Welbury in Yorkshire in 1896, Sidney was the son of Matthew and Mary Best. Although census and military documents record his name as Sidney, his name appears as Sydney on memorials in Staindrop. There are seven children listed as being born to Matthew and Mary on census records, of which Sidney is the youngest.
In 1901 Sidney’s father Matthew was a railway station master in the Northallerton District. By 1911 the Best family had moved to Staindrop and Sidney’s mother had died. Sidney was not living with his father and siblings at this time. Records suggest he may have been living in the Peacock household in Brompton-in-Swale working as a blacksmith apprentice.
Sidney joined the Yorkshire Territorials in March 1913. Sidney’s 18 months as a territorial before the outbreak of war was recorded in the Parish Magazine of August 1915. He first joined the troops in France on 18 April 1915 serving with the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Sidney did not serve long before he was seriously wounded fighting at Ypres. He died from his wounds in hospital in Boulogne on 3 May 1915 at the aged of 19.
Sidney is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery and remembered on several memorials in Staindrop. His name is also recorded on a family gravestone alongside his parents in Staindrop Old Cemetery.
There is more information about Sidney on the Bowes Musuem website:
https://www.thebowesmuseumww1.org.uk/person/1117-best-s/
Civil Parish: Staindrop
Birth date: 1896
Death date: 3-May-1915
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Welbury, Northallerton (1901 Census)
Family: Parents: Matthew Best, Mary Best
Siblings: Percy Best, Harry Best, Edith Elizabeth Best, Arthur William Best, Albert James Best, Henrietta Ellen Best
Military service:
1st/4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment
Private
Service Number 1785
Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal
1914-15 Star
Memorial(s): Book of Remembrance 1914-18 St. Mary’s Church, Staindrop
Plaque 1914-18 St. Mary’s church, Staindrop
Gender: Male
Contributed by StaindropWW1, Staindrop
