Sydney Truman Durose

Captain Sydney Truman Durose, joinined the Nottingham University Officer Training Corps and was commissioned in the 7th battalion Sherwood Foresters on 6th October 1914. Whilst serving with “C” Company, 2/7th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment (Robin Hood Rifles), he was killed in action on 2nd April 1917. He is buried in Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension.(grave ref II.A.19)He was commissioned into the 7th battalion on 6th October 1914 , Proceeding to France on 12th July, 1915, he was in several engagements at Loos and Hooge. Promoted to Lieutenant on 28th August 1915 .Invalided home at the end of 1915 with a fever attack , he was in England for some months until posted to Ireland. He was promoted to Captain on 14th October 1915 and remained in Ireland until January 1917. Proceeding to France with his regiment he was in the line near St. Quentin. He fell on April 2, 1917,leading his men in the attack on Le Verguier. He was buried by the Germans in the village cemetery, together with four of his men.

Taken from de Ruvigny's Roll of Honour Cpl. Hudson described the circumstances of his death during the failed attack on Le Verguier.“How Captain Durose Died.“It is with deep regret that we learn that Captain Sydney Truman Durose, Sherwood Foresters, only son of Mr. A. Durose, F.C.A., well known in Nottingham, has died of wounds.“It will be remembered that Captain Durose was reported wounded and missing. It now appears that he was wounded and afterwards taken prisoner by the Germans. While in their hands he died and was apparently buried by them in the village which at that time was held by them, and against which the attack was made in which Captain Durose fell while leading his company.“Since then the village has been captured by the British, and there was found on the outskirts, at the rear, a grave, at the head of which was a cross bearing the name of Captain Durose. Evidently the gallant officer found a German officer who was not a HunArticle published 12th April 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post read ; “Captain Sydney T. Durose, Sherwood Foresters, who is reported “wounded and missing” from the 2nd inst., [April 1917] is the only son of Mr. Arthur Durose, F.C.A., formerly of Nottingham, but recently removed to Radlett, Herts. He joined the O.T.C. of the Nottingham University College immediately after the outbreak of war, and was granted his commission on October 6th, 1914. He went out on the western front with his battalion under Colonel Brewill, D.S.O., and served for four months, when he was granted leave of absence and developed trench fever. On recovery, he served in the home unit until February this year, when he again went out in command of a company under Lieut.-Colonel Rayner, D.S.O. He is 24 years of age. He was promoted to a captaincy in October, 1915.” A further article was published on 24th April 1917 in the Nottingham Daily Express and read : “How Captain Durose Died.“It is with deep regret that we learn that Captain Sydney Truman Durose, Sherwood Foresters, only son of Mr. A. Durose, F.C.A., well known in Nottingham, has died of wounds.“It will be remembered that Captain Durose was reported wounded and missing. It now appears that he was wounded and afterwards taken prisoner by the Germans. While in their hands he died and was apparently buried by them in the village which at that time was held by them, and against which the attack was made in which Captain Durose fell while leading his company.“Since then the village has been captured by the British, and there was found on the outskirts, at the rear, a grave, at the head of which was a cross bearing the name of Captain Durose. Evidently the gallant officer found a German officer who was not a HunBoth above articles are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918