SIDAWAY, William

William Sidaway lived at 114 Worcester Street, Stourbridge, and attended Enville Street Council School. He was also a member of the Wesleyan Methodists. He worked at Turney's leather works before 1914 and was one of the first from that firm to volunteer. He became a Territorial and joined the 1/7th Battalion of the Worcesters in the 48th (South Midland) Division. They had spent an active time on the Western Front during 1916 on the Somme and at Third Ypres in 1917. Then in October the 48th Division was ordered to Italy where the Italian army had suffered a major defeat at Caporetto. The new front line was the Asiago plateau in the mountains north of Venice. There was little action until June 1918 when the Austrians attacked in force. The battalion was faced with superior numbers but put in a crucial counter attack which successfully held the line. Losses were heavy and included Lance Corporal William Sidaway. He was 24 years of age and is buried in Montecchio Cemetery (V A 2) and commemorated on the Stourbridge, St. Thomas's church, Methodist church and former Enville Street school Memorials.