Sydney Alfred Duckett, Age 45

Private, 3331, "A" Company, 4th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess Of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment).

Sydney was born in 1869 in Malinslee, according to the 1881 census he was a 13 year old collier and then in 1887 he enlisted into the Artillery at Liverpool. He served for 8 years, with nearly 5 years abroad including India & Aden.

At some time, he moved to Thornaby-on-Tees with his wife Eva, probably to work in the local Iron and Steel industry. They had a large family of 10 children but this was not uncommon at the time. By his battalion number it can be said that he was amongst the first to join up when war was declared and probably went to France with them in April 1915.

The exact circumstances of his death are unknown, but he was brought back to a hospital in England from France and there died from his illness. His body was brought back to Henrietta Street in a coffin which was too big to go through the front door and had to be brought into the house through a window. His wife was sent his outstanding regimental pay of £6/12 shillings and notification that she would receive his pay and overseas allowance for a further 26 weeks (Standard army practice at the time). It is believed that Sydney was the oldest man to serve in the 1/4th Yorkshire regiment during the 1st War.

Sydney, front centre behind the drum holding the baton.

Sydney was badly wounded in action and died at home on August 7th 1916 and lies buried at Thornaby in Grave F.C.J.13.

Inscription added to head stone by: Mrs. Eva Duckett, 24 Henrietts St., Thornaby-on-Tees, Yorks.

A Place Is Vacant At Our Hearth Which We Can Never Fill.

Commonwealth War Graves
Sydney's War Grave Thornaby-on-Tees Cemetery

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Victory Medal	British War Medal