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Pte. Sidney Richard Medler
British Army 1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment
from:Ringland, Norfolk
Sidney Medler was born 25 Jan 1897 in Ringland to Farmer Walter James Medler and wife Elizabeth (nee Craske). He was the 3rd son and one of 6 siblings. He enlisted on 25th July 1916, aged 19 into the Royal Norfolk Regiment. He arrived in France on 23rd November 1916 to join the 1st Battalion.
I know he was present at the Battle for Vimy Ridge as my grandfather (Sidney's son) told me. This is probably were he received shrapnel wounds to his right leg. He left for England and convalescence on 19th May 1917.
I have a photograph of the Canadian Hospital HRH Duchess of Connaught Hospital so he may have stayed here. Wherever it was, he was gravely ill for a while with septicaemia and his parents were sent for to say their "goodbyes". However, he did not die, but family lore says that 2 nurses nursing him caught the infection from him and died at that time. Sidney recovered to be discharged from service because of disablement on 21st December 1917 and to receive a war pension. He also received the Victory and the Silver Star Medal. Sidney and his two brothers survived the war.
