William Sykes

 

Submitted by Roy Hadfield.

 

William was Roy’s grandfather.

After a successful career beginning in 1892 as a professional soldier, serving in Ireland, South Africa and India, Sergeant Major William Sykes was transferred to the permanent staff of the Hallamshires in Sheffield in 1909. In 1915 he was in France/Belgium, serving with distinction (Mentioned in despatches) before being gassed and half buried in a shell hole. He then returned to Endcliffe Hall to complete several more years with the Hallamshires before retiring and working as a time clerk at Steel Peach and Tozers steelworks.
William was born at Balby on 12/1/1875. He was 3540 Regimental Serjeant Major with the 3rd York & Lancs, transferring to the 1st Bn. then onto the ‘Hallamshires’.
He died in Norfolk in 1960.

His medals -
1 Queens South Africa Medal
2 Kings South Africa Medal
with 4 clasps
South Africa 1901
Relief of Ladysmith
Tugela Heights
Laing's Nek
3 British War Medal WW1
4 Victory Medal 1918
5 1914-1915 Star
6 Territorial Force War Medal 1914-1919
7 Long Service Medal
Mentioned in Freybergs despatches 1915 for bravery

These are held at the York & Lancs Regimental museum at Rotherham.

 

 



 

 


 

 

 

 

 

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