|
|
||
 |
|
|
Sidney Mayberry |
||
No / Rank: 14705 Private
|
Sidney Mayberry as a young man playing rugby for Machen Greys RFC in the 1900's |
|
Sidney Mayberry died on Tuesday, 25th July 1916. Aged 43.
Son of William Mayberry, a blacksmith, of 3 Lewis Street, Machen,
Newport
During the last 10 days of July 1916 the 5th
Battalion South Wales Borderers were involved in hectic fighting where
very heavy losses were being sustained. The Battalion was in action in
and around Mametz Wood, which had been the focus of attacks since 3
July and was one of the most fiercely contested areas in the whole
battlefield. The 56th and 57th Brigades attacked between Bazentine Le
Petit and Martinpuich. The attack failed to gain any of its objectives
and left the 5th S.W.B. carrying out their ‘pioneering’
duties in Mametz wood from July 22nd. On the 25th July the Battalion
Diary records that the troops were subjected to very heavy shelling.
“Artillery of all calibres and in the evening with gas.” One of
those killed on the 25th July was Sidney Mayberry, who died of wounds
before being admitted to hospital. He was one of the 40 men from the
Battalion killed during the last days of July 1916. The Battalion also
suffered 179 wounded.
Sidney Mayberry was one of the founders of the ‘old Machen Greys Football Club’ and had played ‘at forward’ in the teams that had won the Monmouthshire Cup two years in succession. Although over the age limit when war was declared he like others outwitted the authorities, and about 12 months later he went with his battalion to the front. He arrived in France on July 17th 1915.
In a letter to Pte Mayberry’s brother an eyewitness gave an account of the scene where ‘three of his comrades were killed while trying to take him to a place of safety after he had been wounded’.
Private Mayberry is buried in the Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt L’Abbe, Somme. The cemetery is close to what was the 36th Casualty Clearing Station, that during the battle became so overwhelmed with wounded, who died in such large numbers, that in some cases, including Sidney Mayberry, men were buried in multiple graves.
Before the war Sidney Mayberry worked at the
Arrow Patent Fuel Company and lived in Dolphin Street, Newport.
‘Never shall his memory fade’
The Dragon Memorial to 38
(Welsh Div) opposite Mametz
wood - Somme