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Record #3192
Name :
: Sydney James BEVAN (1891 - 1917)
  aka : Sidney Bevan


Father
:
Mother
:
BMD and other details
Date of Birth
: 28 Jan 1891

Marriage (1)
:
Marriage (2)
:

Date of Death
: 9 Apr 1917   Notes : Killed in Action
Abode (1) : Place of BirthEngland, Newbury
Abode (2) : Place of Death / BurialFrance, Vimy Ridge
Sailing Information
Date of Arrival
: Mar 1901
Country
: Canada

Ship
: Tunisian

Placement Family
: Scott
Homes / Agencys
Institution (GB)
:

Agency
: Barnardos
NotesSydney James Bevan was born in Newbury, England on the 28th of January, 1891 to William and Hannah Bevan. William Bevan was a labourer in Newbury and with 5 children under the age of 9 the household was a busy one, and one with a hand to mouth existence.

Somewhere just prior to his 10th birthday (Sydney arrived in March, 1901, with 260 Barnardo children, on the Tunisian), Sydney was bound to a family of decent means living in Ontario, Canada, William and Annie Scott, who employed him as a domestic. One can only imagine the life that Sydney had to this point, his family still in England and his trip to Canada a new and terrifying experience in the lower bowels of the transport ship of the [early 20th] century. At the age of 19 however, he had completed his term as a bound servant and traveled to the United States as a labourer to seek his fortune. He became an American citizen, however hard times were had in the States and as war loomed on the horizon, Sydney moved back to his adopted country and ended up in Winnipeg, where he began his life as a full Canadian, a husband to Christina and a father.

In 1914 the war began in Europe, Canada being involved with the Canadian Expeditionary force, the Canadian Navy and the Royal Air Force (The Canadian Air Force would be born out of this conflict). In 1915 and 1916, the war in Europe was progressing slowly and the forces were being drained in the fight. Canada called for more men to come to volunteer and join the forces. As an American citizen, Sydney was not subject to conscription, but on January 25, 1916 Sydney James Bevan signed the accreditation paper to become a Canadian Soldier in the Canadian Expeditionary force. (Service Number: 718339; Force: Army; Unit: 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles (Saskatchewan Regt.).

He declared on his Attestation that he resided in Fairford, Manitoba, Canada; that he was born in Newbury, England; that his next of kin was Mrs. S. J. (Christina M.) Bevan, 335 Vaughn Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; that his birthdate was January 28, 1891; and that he was a homesteader by trade. He is described as 5 foot 6 inches in height; dark complexion; brown eyes, black hair, and was a Presbyterian by faith. He had distinguishing marks of a scar between his second and third finger.

This upset his wife Christina as she had a young daughter and the war was wreaking a terrible toll on the soldiers. He was sent to training at Camp Hughes, in Manitoba to learn the deadly techniques required in trench warfare. His regiment the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles (107th) was assigned to fight in France and on September 18, 1916 they sailed from Halifax to England. On December the 7th, 1916 he landed in France and the regiment joined its unit on the battlefield on February 14th.

During the fighting, on April 9, 1917, on the first day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Sydney lost his life for Canada. He is buried in LA CHAUDIERE MILITARY CEMETERY in Pas de Calais, France, Grave Reference: VIII. B. 19.

In 1925 Christina received, from the war department, a locket that had been found on the battlefield. Inside it was a picture of her and the words Baby Bevan inscribed on the back. 
ContributorsCreated : 2008-02-25 13:33:03 / From original database

Last Updated : 2013-11-03 11:10:43 /

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Surnames starting with:   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  5 Entries        
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
7372 ANSELL, Thomas 1881ENG, BRK, Newbury Nov 1891 : Sardinian CAN Barnardos  
4531 ARNOLD, Daisy Ellen1906ENG,    , Newbury Oct 1920 : Scandinavian CAN Barnardos  
3192 BEVAN, Sydney James1891ENG,    , Newbury Mar 1901 : Tunisian CAN Barnardos  
23457 MINCHINTON, Thomas James1891ENG, BRK, Newbury Jul 1902 : New England CAN Barnardos  
8941 SMITH, Edwin1915ENG,    , Newbury Apr 1931 : Duchess of Richmond CAN Barnardos