14905 Lance Corporal Sidney Herbert Blows
7th Battalion Border Regiment
16th December 1915
Born in 1893 in Trumpington, Cambridgeshire. He was baptised on 03/12/1893.
His parents were Wilfred Blows (20/02/1859-1946) and Jane Elizabeth Docwra Radford (1862-1931). They were married
on 12/04/1883.
Sidney had 5 brothers, Frederick Charles (03/10/1883-20/03/1957), Albert George (14/10/1888-25/06/1965),
George (born on 18/03/1891), Frank Stanley (22/09/1895-30/06/1968) and Harvey Clifford (16/07/1905-1980).
He also had 3 sisters, Bessie Agnes (28/11/1886-1970), Amy Sarah (1898-1927) and Lillian Emily (born in 1900).
In the 1901 census, the family were recorded as living at 2 Alpha Terrace, Trumpington, Cambridgeshire. Wilfred was
employed as a domestic gardener.
By the time of the 1911 census, the family had moved home and were now living at Southacre Cottage, Latham Road, Cambridge. Sidney had now joined his father and was working as a domestic gardener.
When war broke out, Sidney was quick to join up, enlisting at Kirkby Lonsdale, Westmoreland into the Border Regiment
on 02/09/1914.
His details from his medical performed on the same day are as follows.
Apparent Age – 21 Years
Height – 5ft 7 inches
Weight 144lbs
Chest Measurement – Girth when fully expanded 36 inches
Range of Expansion – 2 ½ inches
Complexion – Light
Hair - Light
Sidney was posted as Private 14905 in 7th Battalion Border Regiment on 09/09/1914.
He was sent to France on 14/07/1915
On 11/10/1915 he was promoted to unpaid Lance Corporal, which was changed to paid Lance Corporal on 10/12/1915.
Sadly 4 days later on 16/12/1915 he was killed in action.
Cambridge Independent Press, Friday 31 December 1915
Corporal S. Blows Killed
Mr and Mrs W. Blows, of “Fairbanks”, Cherryhinton, have received news of the death of one of their sons, Corpl. S. Blows, who was killed in action “somewhere in France” on December 15th. The news was contained in the following letter: -
7th Border Regiment, British Expeditionary Force, December 21st, 1915
Dear Mrs Blows, I deeply regret to inform you of the death of your son, Lance-Corpl. S. Blows, who was killed instantaneously by a shell on the afternoon of the 15th. I am sure you will like to know that on the day before his death he behaved with great bravery in helping to dig out a sergeant who had been buried during a very heavy bombardment of our trenches. His name was at once sent in for his gallant conduct, and I feel sure that immediate promotion, if not some higher award, would have been given him.
He was always most cheerful and ready to do unpleasant duties, and was naturally very popular amongst officers, N.C. O’s and
men of his company. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your great loss. – Yours Sincerely J.A. Stirling, Lieutenant.
Corpl Blows, who was 21 years of age, was educated at Trumpington School and subsequently worked for three or four years for
Mr Marshall Jonas, of Chaucer-road.
When war broke out, he was in the employ of Lord Henry Bentinck, at Underley Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale, Westmoreland. He enlisted
at Carlisle in the 7th Border Regiment.
Mr and Mrs Blows have three other sons who are serving their country: Corpl G Blows (of the “Cambridge Daily News” staff) ,
88th Field Ambulance; Pte A.G. Blows, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Pte. F.S. Blows, R.A.M.C.
Cambridge Daily News – Thursday 13 January 1916
Mr and Mrs W Blows and Family with to thank all friends for so many kind expressions of sympathy in their sad bereavement
Corpl S Blows, killed in action).
They die that we may live.
Hail! And Farewell!
All honour give.
To those who, nobly striving, nobly fall,
That we may live!
Cambridge Independent Press – Friday 20 December 1918
In memoriam
Blows- In loving memory of Lance-Corpl Sidney Herbert Blows killed near Ypres, Belgium on active service, December 16th, 1915.
Not dead to us who love him.
Not lost but gone before.
He lives to us in memory still.
And will for evermore.
_ From his sorrowing Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters, of Fairbanks, Cherryhinton.
Cambridge Daily News – Tuesday 23 December 1919
In memoriam
Blows – In ever loving memory of Sidney Herbert Blows, 7th Border Regiment, who was killed, near Ypres, December 15th, 1915,
and buried in Menin-road.
And so, for me there is no sting in death.
And so, the grave has lost its victory.
It is but crossing – with bated breath.
And white, set face – a little strip of sea.
To find the love ones waiting on the shore,
More beautiful, more precious than before.
--From all at “Fairbanks” Cherryhinton-road, Cambridge
Sidney was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
His brothers, Frederick ,George ,Albert and Frank all served and survived the war.
Frederick and Albert having emigrated to Canada, both enlisted into the Canadian army, Albert joining on 06/05/1915
as Private 422195.
His medical details at enlisting are as follows.
Apparent Age - 26 years 5 months
Height - 5ft 6 1/2 inches
Chest measurement - Girth when fully expanded - 35 1/4/inches
Range of expansion - 1 3/4 inches
Eyes - Blue, Hair - Light Brown
Religious Denomination - Wesleyan.
Frederick joined up on 11/12/1917 as Private 4080084 into 1st Depot Battalion British Columbia Regiment at Vancouver B.C.
His description on calling up is as follows.
Apparent Age - 33 years
Height - 5ft 6 3/4 inches, Weight - 146lbs
Chest Measurement - Fully Expanded - 37 inches
Range of Expansion - 3 inches
Complexion - Light, Eyes - Blue, Hair - Brown
He was discharged from the army on 19/12/1918.
Frank & George both enlisted into the Royal Army Medical Corp (R.A.M.C.). Frank enlisted as Private 2427 and was sent to the Balkans on 19/10/1915. He was discharged on 01/03/1919 and awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and
Allied Victory medals.
George enlisted as Private 2017 (his number was changed to 473180 later in the war). He was sent to Egypt on 09/07/1915.
He was awarded the Meritorious Service medal on 17/06/1918 (Gazetted in London Gazette Supplement 30750 page 7137 on
14/06/1918. This was awarded to senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and warrant officers for valuable, faithful service,
or for gallantry not in the face of the enemy.
George was discharged on 04/07/1919 having reached the rank Temporary Sarjeant Major. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star,
the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.