Sidney Herbert Gatehouse

Story:
Sidney Herbert Gatehouse was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1878 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 12 May 1878 the son of James Howe Gatehouse and Mary Gatehouse (nee Farmer).  He spent his early life in the Ivy Cross area of Shaftesbury until his family moved to Milton on Stour, Gillingham, Dorset, by 1901   He married Beatrice Blanche Mary Coombs in Shaftesbury during 1901 and they went on to have three children.  By 1911 the family were living at Cemetery Road, Gillingham, Dorset.  Sidney had enlisted on 24 Nov 1914 and joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 12301).  He was posted to the Balkans area on 31 Oct 1915 and served with the 9th and 11th Battalions.  He was wounded at sometime during this period and was discharged on 14 Nov 1917 as being unfit for further service.  He was awarded the Silver War Badge No. 270049.  He was later also awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  The 1921 Census shows him living at 10 Sotheryby Road, Islington, London, noted as a Groom (out of work) and 'single'. It is presumed that he obtained a divorce from his wife, Beatrice, as he legitimately married Edith Honoria Woolley in Islington, London, during 1922 and they also went on to have three children.   Sidney's death was recorded at the Camden, London, Registry on 28 Mar 1938.  His brothers, Ernest Edward, Thomas William, Percy George and Charles Howe also served and survived the conflict whilst their nephew, Victor Stokes, died whilst serving. His other brother, Walter John, is said to have served but no military record has been found to confirm this.