"My father had two stalls in the market selling job goods. I left school when I was 14 [around 1913] and my father gave me my own stall next to his. I had saved a little money from odd jobs I had done previously and had a few pounds capital. I went to Hounsditch and bought some photo frames, candlesticks and fancy goods. I was living at home and within a short time began to make a living for myself."

"When the war broke out in 1914 I was 16 and wanted to join the Army. There was a family argument as my mother did not wish me to join. I accordingly went to work in the Woolwich Arsenal, department CF4. It was the cartridge factory. After a year I was still agitating to join the Army and did in fact join in 1918 when I was about 17."

"...to join the Army and did in fact join in 1918 when I was about 17. I went to Germany and was taken prisoner of war on 21st September 1918."

Family lore says Sidney escaped and made a home run.