Selected Biographies

Sycamore, Maurice Edward – Born: Carlton, Nottinghamshire in 1897. Parents: Maurice Sycamore of Long Melford and Annie [née Bird].  Family Connections: Cousin of Thomas Henry Sycamore [b1898] and William John Sycamore [b1902]. Home: Manor Road, Carlton, Nottinghamshire (1911), 14^A Saint Austins Drive, Carlton [1931 ER], 91 Coronation Walk, Gelding, Notts [1968]. Occupation: Assistant in Cycle Shop (1911). Married: Edith Sansom in 1920. Service Record: Maurice enlisted during the First World War as Pte.M2/17777 with Mechanised Section, Army Service Corps.[1] Died: Gelding, Nottinghamshire on 9.6.1968.[2]

Sycamore, Thomas Henry – Born: Netherfield, Nottinghamshire in 1898. Parents: Walter Sycamore of Long Melford and Harriet [née Beeton].  Family Connections: Cousin of Maurice Edward Sycamore [b1897] and William John Sycamore [b1902]. Home: Pearson Street, Carlton, Nottinghamshire (1901, 1911). Occupation: Engine Cleaner [1917]. Service Record: Thomas was conscripted on 3.5.1917 as Pte.85476 with 2/8^th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters [Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment]. He was posted to France and wounded in action from an enemy gas shell on 12.10.1917.  Following his recovery, he was returned to the Western Front as Pte.204387, joining 2/6^th Battalion Sherwood Foresters as part of 178^th Brigade, 59^th (2^nd North Midland) Division.[3]  Died: Thomas was killed in action on 21.3.1918 either during a gruelling enemy bombardment or the subsequent attack against the battalion’s front line on the railway embankment at Écoust-Saint-Mein.  The assault heralded the start of the Battle of St Quentin, one of the opening phases of the German Spring Offensive.  The losses inflicted on Sycamore’s unit were of such magnitude that it was disbanded only three months later.[4] Private Sycamore is commemorated on the Arras Memorial [bay 7], Pas de Calais, France, and the Roll of Honour in St Georges Church, Netherfield, Nottinghamshire.[5]

Sycamore, William John – Born: Tooting, London on 26.5.1902.[6] Parents: Emmanuel Sycamore of Long Melford and Fanny [née Worby].  Family Connections: Cousin of Maurice Edward Sycamore [b1897] and Thomas Henry Sycamore [b1898]. Home 42 Ashenden Road, Clapton Park, Hackney, London (1911), 28 Stewardstone Road, Chingford, Essex (1939). Occupation: Engineer Improver [1923], Timber Porter (1939). Married: Violet Selby in 1930. Service Record: William enlisted in 1923 as Gnr.1426278 with the Royal Artillery Territorials, receiving his discharge in 1935.[7] Died: Waltham Forest, Essex in 1966.

Notes – [1] Medal Roll [WO 329] and Medal Index Card [WO 372].  [2] National Probate Calendar.  [3] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Medal Roll [WO 329], and Medal Index Card [WO 372].  [4] For details of the conditions and fighting on the day Sycamore lost his life, see the Battalion War Diary [WO 95/3025/4] and for the wider battle see https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/.  [5] Commonwealth War Grave Commission.  [6] 1939 Register.  [7] Royal Artillery attestations 1883-1942.