William Sidney Culling (known as Sid)
|
|
Sidney Culling was just 20 years of age when he died in the fighting around Le Paradis.
Sidney is buried in Hinges Cemetery but the exact location of his death and exactly how he died isn't known. As he was serving in B Company of the Royal Norfolk Regiment it is possible he died defending La Bassee Canal.
Over the years, his nephew Richard Culling and Richard's wife Sally have been slowly and painstakingly piecing together details of his life.
The person they refer to as Uncle Sid was born William Sidney Culling in either 1918 or 1919. Like so many others he adopted his second name and was always known as Sid. When he enlisted at Britannia Barracks in Norwich he gave his name as Sidney William Culling.
Sid was the eldest of six children born to William and Lily Culling with the births of the children spread over a period of 18 years. He had three sisters - Gladys (born 1921), Eileen and Phyllis - and two brothers - Bernard (born 1933) and David (born 1937). Both Bernard (who is Richard's father) and David were too young to fight in the war. Sid was very protective of his younger siblings, often standing up for them even if it meant getting into a fight.
Sid signed up to become a "professional soldier" with his best friend whose name is unknown. Richard and Sally do know, however, that the duo were something of tearaways and joined the army to avoid getting into trouble. Apparently when Sid informed his family that he had signed up they were far from happy.
Sid was born in the Heigham Street area of Norwich and it is likely that he was educated at a local school which no longer exists. Sid was a good welterweight boxer, fighting out of Norwich Lads Club under the nickname of Ragtime as his father was a rag and bone man, plying his trade in the local streets and keeping his horse in stables at the Earl of Leicester Public House.
By the time he signed up, the Culling family had moved to Stevenson Road on the Larkman estate in Norwich. There was a very real community spirit in the area during the war as Norwich was subjected to considerable bombing on what became known as the Baedeker Raids after the German travel books which listed the most historic places in the United Kingdom.
Initially Sid signed up for the Royal Artillery but was subsequently transferred to the Royal Norfolks which is how he found himself fighting in Northern France in May 1940.
Richard Culling believes that Sid was shot, although doesn't know whether he died immediately or later from his wounds. Sid's date of death on his headstone in Hinges Cemetery is given as June 1st, 1940, although dates on memorials are often inaccurate.
After Sid's death, Lily kept a framed photograph of her son in uniform on the wall of her lounge and wouldn't let anyone touch it. Having an Irish background and flowing red hair, Lily was s formidable woman and a devout Catholic. That framed photograph of Sid is now a prized possession of Richard and Sally Culling.
Richard is immensely proud of his Uncle Sid:
"He is my hero. He gave everything. I wish I could have met him. I would just like to be able to thank him, after all he made the ultimate sacrifice. I would love to know everything about him, what he liked to do, what made him tick, what he enjoyed doing. I know he enjoyed boxing but did he enjoy crafts, was he a fisherman, that kind of thing. I just pray that he died quickly and didn't suffer," Richard said.
One of the only pieces of memorabilia that Richard and Sally have is a copy of a letter from the War Office informing Sid's parents that they are due the sum of £5,7s.7d (about £5.38 or the equivalent of about £250 today) from Army Funds.
The letter states:
"Sir
I am directed to inform you that the sum of £5.7.7d is due from Army Funds to the estate of the Late No 862211 Pte Sidney William Culling Royal Norfolk Regiment in respect of balance of pay and allowances and £2 in respect of service gratuity.
No will executed by the late soldier has been brought to the notice of this office and as he died unmarried, his estate is divisible equally between his parents.
A postal draft in your favour is enclosed for distribution accordingly.
I am,
Sir
Your obedient servant
W. Mathias"
Richard has visited Hinges Cemetery along with is father Bernard (Sid's brother who was known as Barney) to pay their respects. The inscription on the headstone reads:
"He left us suddenly
Thoughts unknown
He left a memory
We are proud to own"
We are grateful to the Culling family for the photograph of Sid at the top of this page. The photograph of the headstone was taken by Le Paradis Commemoration Group member Nick Smith.
Sidney is buried in Hinges Cemetery but the exact location of his death and exactly how he died isn't known. As he was serving in B Company of the Royal Norfolk Regiment it is possible he died defending La Bassee Canal.
Over the years, his nephew Richard Culling and Richard's wife Sally have been slowly and painstakingly piecing together details of his life.
The person they refer to as Uncle Sid was born William Sidney Culling in either 1918 or 1919. Like so many others he adopted his second name and was always known as Sid. When he enlisted at Britannia Barracks in Norwich he gave his name as Sidney William Culling.
Sid was the eldest of six children born to William and Lily Culling with the births of the children spread over a period of 18 years. He had three sisters - Gladys (born 1921), Eileen and Phyllis - and two brothers - Bernard (born 1933) and David (born 1937). Both Bernard (who is Richard's father) and David were too young to fight in the war. Sid was very protective of his younger siblings, often standing up for them even if it meant getting into a fight.
Sid signed up to become a "professional soldier" with his best friend whose name is unknown. Richard and Sally do know, however, that the duo were something of tearaways and joined the army to avoid getting into trouble. Apparently when Sid informed his family that he had signed up they were far from happy.
Sid was born in the Heigham Street area of Norwich and it is likely that he was educated at a local school which no longer exists. Sid was a good welterweight boxer, fighting out of Norwich Lads Club under the nickname of Ragtime as his father was a rag and bone man, plying his trade in the local streets and keeping his horse in stables at the Earl of Leicester Public House.
By the time he signed up, the Culling family had moved to Stevenson Road on the Larkman estate in Norwich. There was a very real community spirit in the area during the war as Norwich was subjected to considerable bombing on what became known as the Baedeker Raids after the German travel books which listed the most historic places in the United Kingdom.
Initially Sid signed up for the Royal Artillery but was subsequently transferred to the Royal Norfolks which is how he found himself fighting in Northern France in May 1940.
Richard Culling believes that Sid was shot, although doesn't know whether he died immediately or later from his wounds. Sid's date of death on his headstone in Hinges Cemetery is given as June 1st, 1940, although dates on memorials are often inaccurate.
After Sid's death, Lily kept a framed photograph of her son in uniform on the wall of her lounge and wouldn't let anyone touch it. Having an Irish background and flowing red hair, Lily was s formidable woman and a devout Catholic. That framed photograph of Sid is now a prized possession of Richard and Sally Culling.
Richard is immensely proud of his Uncle Sid:
"He is my hero. He gave everything. I wish I could have met him. I would just like to be able to thank him, after all he made the ultimate sacrifice. I would love to know everything about him, what he liked to do, what made him tick, what he enjoyed doing. I know he enjoyed boxing but did he enjoy crafts, was he a fisherman, that kind of thing. I just pray that he died quickly and didn't suffer," Richard said.
One of the only pieces of memorabilia that Richard and Sally have is a copy of a letter from the War Office informing Sid's parents that they are due the sum of £5,7s.7d (about £5.38 or the equivalent of about £250 today) from Army Funds.
The letter states:
"Sir
I am directed to inform you that the sum of £5.7.7d is due from Army Funds to the estate of the Late No 862211 Pte Sidney William Culling Royal Norfolk Regiment in respect of balance of pay and allowances and £2 in respect of service gratuity.
No will executed by the late soldier has been brought to the notice of this office and as he died unmarried, his estate is divisible equally between his parents.
A postal draft in your favour is enclosed for distribution accordingly.
I am,
Sir
Your obedient servant
W. Mathias"
Richard has visited Hinges Cemetery along with is father Bernard (Sid's brother who was known as Barney) to pay their respects. The inscription on the headstone reads:
"He left us suddenly
Thoughts unknown
He left a memory
We are proud to own"
We are grateful to the Culling family for the photograph of Sid at the top of this page. The photograph of the headstone was taken by Le Paradis Commemoration Group member Nick Smith.