On researching Sidney there are 2 possible candidates living in the correct area of Leicester. I have gathered as much information as I can on both and have come to the conclusion that the facts given on Find My Past are for the wrong person.
In my opinion Sidney Dawson was born in 1894 in Leicester and baptised at St Saviour’s Church on 14.10.1894. His parents were Sidney Dawson, a railway labourer foreman and Rachael Souter (nee Walton). They had 9 children –
Elizabeth Ann 1884
Mary Ellen 1885
George 1888
Edith Ada 1890
Elsie 1892
Sidney 1894
Florence Elizabeth 1896
George Edward 1896
unknown
In 1901 census the family lived at 56 Oak Street.
In 1911 census they lived at the same address and Sidney junior worked as a rubber thread maker.
Sidney became Private 219631/5 Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was Killed in Action on 24.9.1918. He is buried at Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery, France.
At the time of his death his family lived at 31 Farnham Street. His photograph is in Illustrated Chronicle 7.12.1918 Pg 1.
Leicester Mercury 20.11.1918 Pg 3.
