Sidney Bardswell Powditch was born in 1889 the son of William Powditch of 50 Stradbroke Road, Southwold. Sidney lived at 38 Hatfield Road, Ipswich or The Hill, Needham Market. He enlisted on the 9th November 1914 into Essex Yeomanry (Reserve) and was given the Regimental Number 1590, he held the rank of Acting Lance Corporal 8th December 1914. [Prior to enlisting in Essex Yeomanry where he was recorded as having 1 year 10 months service with Middlesex Volunteers].
By the Wednesday before 2-5-1915 at a smoking concert held at the Cyclists canteen in Huntingdon he took part and at the time was a Lance Corporal in the H. C. B. [ This fact differs from an account of him being Commissioned into the 1/1st Hunts Cyclists 27th March 1915as a Second Lieutenant].
He was then attached to the 1/1st Cambridgeshire Regt. in August 1918 where he served with D Company a
nd was sent to France on the 26th September 1918. He was wounded in an action Auby on the 14th October 1918 whilst serving with that Regiment. His wounds were recorded as gunshot to right thigh, right wrist and right index finger, he was aged 29 at this time. His name is mentioned in the history of the Cambridgeshire Regimental history by Riddell and Clayton [ pp254].A fellow Hunts. Cyclist officer Raymond Arthur Robinson was wounded in the same action as Sidney Bardswell Powditch. As a result of his wounds he returned to England on the 18th October 1918, to Lynford Hall Officers Convalescent Hospital, Arundford, Norfolk.
He was later promoted again to Lieutenant on the 1st May 1919.
In an article entitled "Last of Hunts. Cyclists" issued locally on 15th December 1921, under the title 'Many Officers Relinquish their commands and retain their ranks' he appears under the heading Lieut. S. B. Powditch. The extracts were originally taken from the "London Gazette", and under a supplement dated 7th December 1921. The officers relinquished their commissions 30th September 1921 under A.O. 166/21 as amended by A.O. 332/21 and retain their rank, except where indicated below.
Some sources use the spelling Sidney.
Lieut. Sidney Bardswell Powditch - Address: 38 Hatfield Road, Ipswich or The Hill, Needham Market. He was the Son of William Powditch of 50 Stradbroke Road, Southwold - Born 1889 Enlisted 9th November 1914 into Essex Yeomanry (Reserve) with the number 1590 Acting Lance Corporal 8th December 1914 Commissioned into the Hunts Cyclists 27th March 1915 and subsequently was attached 1/1 Cambridgeshire Regt , D Coy in August 1918 Wounded as Lieut 14th October 1918 at Auby, aged 29, gunshot to right thigh, right wrist and right index finger. Mentioned in Riddell and Clayton pp254. To England 18th October 1918, where he was moved to Lynford Hall Officers Convalescent Hospital, Arundford, Norfolk. Prior to enlisting in Essex Yeo. Had 1 year 10 months service with Middlesex Volunteers..
Lieut. - Gazetted 1 July 1917 - H. C. B & H. C. B. soon to be the 5(H) N’Hants. from Nov 1917 To Oct. 1921 - 1/1st – Aug. 1915 to June 1918.
2 Lieut. - gazetted - 28 Mar 1915 - H. C. B from May 1915 To Oct. 1917 - Attached to 1st Bat. Cambs. Regt Aug 1920 to Oct. 1921.
Thanks also to Robin James for the provision of some of the above information.
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09/04/2012