Pte Sidney George Westwood

Sidney was born in Brentwood in 1895, the son of a platelayer working on the railway.

During the first world war he joing the 9th Essex, which arrived in France on 1st June 1915. They received training in trench warfare behind the front line at Ploegsteert Wood near Neuve Eglise in Belgium, and by 10th July they were on the front line in trenches known as 'Plug Street'.

In September 1915 they were moved to take part in the battle of Loos, and it was shortly after this drawn out battle, possibly during subsequent German counter attacks, that Sidney was killed on 12th October 1915.