Sidney Arthur Victor Wightman

Story:
Sidney Arthur Victor Wightman was born in Tarrant Gunville, Dorset, on 22 Mar 1887 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23 May 1887 the son of James John Wightman and Agnes Emma Wightman (nee Johnson).  He lived his early life with his family successively in Southampton and Portsmouth, Hampshire, where his father was a Butcher.  Sidney followed in his father's footsteps and also became a Butcher.  At some time his parents moved to 39 High Street, Shaftesbury, from where Sidney enlisted on 6 Dec 1915 (though not embodied until 18 Jun 1918) and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No.42511).  He served in the UK only and was eventually discharged on 27 Feb 1919.  There are no evident medal records.  He married Nellie Meaden in Shaftesbury during 1920.  The 1921 Census shows him living in Horse Hill, Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, still working as a Butcher. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 20/21 Market Place, Warminster, Wiltshire, where he managed a Butchers Shop.  His death was recorded in Warminster during 1969.   His brother, Leslie Reginald Wightman, also served but was regrettably killed in action during the conflict.