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Pte. Sydney Platt
British Army 18th Btn. Welsh Regiment
from:38 Johnson Street, Tyldesley, Lancashire
(d.24th Mar 1918)
Sydney was born on 26th October 1898 to Margaret Platt (nee Doncaster) and Herbert Platt (a coal miner). The couple were married in 21 May 1891 at St George's, Tyldesley. He had a sister, Lois, 7, and a brother, William, 3 – the latter was my granddad. The family were living at 5 Sale Lane, Tyldesley which was owned by the mine.
By 1917 the family were living at 38 Johnson Street, Tyldesley. Herbert was a milkman and William had begun training as a blacksmith. Sydney was working for the Tyldesley Co-operative Society as an apprentice butcher. He joined the army in February 1917 (his brother being rejected due to a suspected varicose vein) and trained at Prees Heath, Shropshire as a soldier in the 18th Welsh Regiment. In early November 1917, he was sent to join the regiment in France to take part in the capture of Bourlon Wood, 23rd to 28th of November 1917.
He fell while on patrol from the British camp to the south of Henin-sur-Cojeul, France, according to his corporal, who was with him and saw him fall, when German sentries came out and gave fire. The patrol retreated, leaving Sydney, and returned to camp, but the regiment had received orders to move quickly to Mory to strengthen the line due to the build-up of German forces prior to their Spring Offensive, known as Operation Michael. Hence, his body was not recovered.
There are 35 unknown allied soldiers buried in Cojeul British Cemetery. I am still trying to ascertain from where each of these came, as I believe Sydney is one of these men. Sydney is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France and on the Tyldesley Memorial in his hometown.
