Sidney Matthew Cannell

Story:
Sidney Matthew Cannell was born in Forhoe, Norfolk, on 26 Apr 1882 and baptised at Cringleford, Norfolk, on 6 Aug 1882 the son of Herbert Ernest Cannell and Ellen Cannell (nee Aves).  He lived his early life in Norfolk and married Betsey Hill Foster at All Saints Church, King's Lynn, Norfolk, on 9 Apr 1902.  They went on to have 10 children.  By 1911 the family had moved to Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where Sidney found work as a Gamekeeper.   He had enlisted with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry and was later attached to the Corps of Hussars as a Private (Service No. 230567).  It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge on 27 Mar 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at Prystock Farm, Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Farmer and he was still there by the time of the 1939 Register farming as well as being a volunteer ARP Warden and Auxiliary Fire Service Fireman.  He died on 3 Nov 1948 and was buried at Fontmell Magna.