Sidney James Rumsby

Sydney (sic) James was the son of William Henry Rumsby and Lois Rumsby nee Woodward. His father was born in Quorndon, Leicestershire, in about 1871, the son of William Lound Rumsby and his wife Mary W. His mother was born in Ailsworth, Northamptonshire, in 1874 (baptised 16 April 1874 Castor, Northamtonshire) the daughter of George Woodward, a stone mason, and his wife Hannah. William and Lois (22) were married on 2 October 1894 at Peterborough St Paul and had five children: Leonard George b. 10 August 1895 (J/A/S Peterborough, baptised 1 September 1895 Castor, Northants), William Henry b. 18 October 1896 (baptised 29 November 1896 Helpston, Northants), Sydney James b. 10 February 1899 (J/F/M Peterborough), Gladys Lois Mary b. 10 November 1901 (O/N/D Peterborough) and Winifred (Winnie) Alice b. 25 November 1904 (O/N/D Peterborough). At the time of Leonard's birth in 1895 William was a signalman and he and his wife were living in South Luffenham, Rutland. In 1901 William (29), a bricklayer's labourer, and Lois (28) were living at Bradgate Cottages, Rogers Street, Peterborough, with their three children, Leonard (5), William (4) and Sydney (2). Also in the household was William's widowed mother-in-law, Hannah Woodward (72, b. Leicester). The family appears to have then moved to London as there is a record of Sydney (6) and Gladys (3) being admitted to Southfield School, Merton Road, Wandsworth, on 17 April 1905 and 1 May 1905 respectively. However, by 1911 the family was living at 391 Gladstone Street, Peterborough. William (39) was working as a stationary engine man for an engineering company. He and Lois now had five children; Leonard George (15) a fishmonger's assistant, William (14) a grocer's van boy, Sydney (11), Gladys (9) and Winifred (6). When Sydney's brother William joined the Royal Marine Artillery in 1913 it is likely that his family was still living in Peterborough. However, by the time Sydney enlisted in the army in January 1917 his parents were living at Philo Cottages, Easthorpe Street, Ruddington, Nottingham. His brother William Henry, who was still serving in the Royal Marine Artillery (13753 Gunner), was killed in the raid on Zeebrugge on 23 April 1918 (Dover St James' Cemetery). His parents were still living at Philo Cottages, Ruddington, when his father died on 19 July 1919. His mother died in 1949 (Sep, Shardlow Derbyshire) at the age of 75. Of Sydney's surviving siblings: Leonard George married Letitia Sharwan (b. 6 April 1894) in 1920 (J/A/S Peterborough Northants). In 1939 Leonard, a railway wagon painter and Letitia were living at 25 Stone Lane, Peterborough, with their daughter June Winifred (25 February 1931). Leonard died on 10 October 1964 (December Peterborough) age 69. He was then living at 32 Cobden Street, Peterborough. Gladys Lois Mary married Fred Wright (b. 24 November 1893) in 1929 (A/M/J Basford). In 1939 she and Fred were living in Nottingham. Gladys died on 27 April 1944 (June Nottingham) at the age of 42. She and Fred were then living at 112 Oakdale Road, Nottingham. Winifred Alice married George Swabey in 1931 (J/F/M Basford). She died in 1978 (June Peterborough) aged 73.