Sydney Joseph Lyndsell was the son of Joseph William and Rosalind Lyndsell, 43 Mold Road. From FreeBMD, Joseph William Lyndsell married Rosalind Owen in London in 1893. In 1911 the family was living at Marlborough Rd, Southgate comprised: Rosalind 40 widow born Banbury Oxon, Sydney Joseph 16 junior clerk born Buckley, Wilfred 11 b Essex, Barbara Rosalind 6 b Middlesex. Rosalind Lyndsell died in Hawarden registration district in 1942 age 73.

From his service record, Sydney was born in Buckley in about March 1895. He attested in Clapham Junction on the 25th August 1914 when he was 19 years and 5 months old.  He served in in France 1916, Salonica 1917, Egypt 1918 and France 1918. His address when he enlisted was 17 Pymmes Rd Palmers Green, London and he was employed as a solicitor’s clerk. His mother had moved to 11 Padeswood Rd, Buckley by the time of his death.

His Attestation form tells us he was 5 feet 9 inches tall and had a chest measurement of 35 inches (with a 2 and a half inches expansion range). His physical development was good and he was considered fir for the Territorial Force.

His records tell us that he endured a long war with a lot of travelling. The chronology is confusing and difficult to follow

He embarked from Southampton on the 25th June 1916 and arrived in La Havre the following day. A Casualty form tells us that he had tonsilitis in October 1916. He left France on the 3rd December 1916  embarking from Marseilles and disembarked in Salonika (Greece) on the 14th December 1916.

The records note that he had a gunshot wound to the left thigh and was admitted to ‘General Hospital’  in January 1918  but exactly where is not clear.  The following letter from his mother was received  by the army (or the War Office)

17 Pymmes Road, Palmers Green, London N 13

January 14th 1918.

Dear Sir,

I received your notice saying my son (Pte S J Lyndsell 700407 2nd 23rd London Reg) was wounded. I shall be deeply grateful for any further information as soon as you reveive same. Please note  address as your notice was delayed owing to name of road not being correct.

Yours faithfully

Rosalind Lyndsell

It seems he recovered because his records tell us that he served in Egypt but it’s not clear when he went there. He left Alexandria on the 23rd June 1918 and  disembarked in Taranto (Italy) on the 30th June 1918.  (There was a battle in Taranto in July 1918).

He was granted 14 days leave from the 29th July 1918 to the 12th August 1918.  He died  of wounds 2 months later in France.  Was he wounded in Taranto and moved to France? Was he in France already when he was wounded?  The story is unclear.

His Mother eventually received his personal possessions. They were –

Disc, Letters, Religious medallion, wallet, 2 cigarette cases, matchbox cover, badge, Fountain pen, 9ct gold ring broken (with masonic symbol), metal ring, metal box (horseshoe), Diary, Note book.

In March 1922 the army required Rosalind Lyndsell to complete a living relatives form. The form lists Rosalind Lyndsell 43, Wilfred Guy Lyndsall 22, Barbara Rosalind Lyndsell 17. They were all resident at 43 Mold Road Buckley.