Name
Sidney Herring
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Sidney Herring was recorded as Earnest Sidney Herring in the 1911 Census and in his Navy records, however he was known as Sidney in local records. He was born on 2nd January 1901 at Wokingham. He was the second son of Joseph and Charlotte Herring. His brother Joseph Albert Herring also served in the Great War. Joseph worked as an Agricultural Labourer, and at the time of the 1901 Census the family lived at Lindlesham, near Winnersh in Berkshire. By 1911 the Herring family had moved to Abbots Langley, and lived at Trowley Bottom.
The Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Service noted that Sidney first served aboard HMS “Vivid I” from 19th July 1916 when he was 15 years old as a Boy Seaman II. HMS “Vivid I” was a Naval Barracks at Devonport, Plymouth.
The Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour recorded Sidney for the first time in September 1916, serving with the Royal Navy, and recorded him each month throughout the War from that point. On 22nd November 1916 Sidney transferred to HMS “Impregnable”, a training establishment for Boy Seamen II, comprising HMS “Howe” and HMS “Inconstant”. A four month course was attended by Boy Seamen II. On completion of the course Sidney was promoted to Boy Seaman I and on 14th March 1917 returned to HMS “Vivid I”.
In June 1917 he briefly served aboard HMS “Ramillies”, a battleship in the First Battle Squadron, but returned again to HMS” Vivid I” on 7th August 1917. Later in the War he was posted to HMS “Argus”, one of the first air-craft carriers, and on 2nd January 1919 signed up for a period of 12 years’ service in the Royal Navy. He was promoted to Acting Stoker on 8th June 1919.
Sidney Herring survived the War. However his brother Joseph Albert Herring died in Italy serving with the 1st South Staffordshire’s in July 1918.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
