Sidney Shute

Story:
Sidney Shute was born on 15 Nov 1898 in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised there on 13th January, 1899. He was the son of Henry Young Shute, a general labourer, and Anna Shute (nee Merefield). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a Scholar and living at 41 Smith's Hole, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted in Dorchester on 20th March, 1915, and joined the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 13026) and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Sergeant. He traveled to Rouen, France, on 29th September, 1916, and entered the battlefield on 16th October, 1916 with the 5th Battalion. For his service in France & Flanders and he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He was presumed killed in action on 11th January 1917 and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France (Pier and Face 7 B). He is also remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury.  His mother was in receipt of a dependent's pension. His brother, Henry Shute, also served in the conflict and survived albeit, discharged early, due to sickness.

Printed Sources: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.