Sydney Charles Riordan: 1884 to 1964
Sydney Charles Riordan married
Catherine (Cassie) nee Lewis
Sydney Charles Riordan was born on 11th
January 1884 at 6 Lloyd Street, Dowlais,
Merthyr Tydfil.
He was baptised on 6th
February 1884 in St John’s Church, Dowlais.
One of 9 surviving children of
Daniel Riordan (an Irish immigrant) and Mary Ann Enon
Sydney married Catherine (Cassie) Elizabeth Lewis on 22nd
April 1909.
Their only
son Edgar Percy was born on 9th
November
1909. The family lived initially
at Williams
Court (Lloyd Street), Dowlais and then 129 High St, Pen
y
Darren.
His brother Daniel later married Cassie’s sister Rachel and their families always lived in the same
area for their
whole lives in peacetime.
Strangely perhaps they were not close socially despite
always
moving to be near.
Military Service.
He never talked about the Military and it only came to light when the attic of his son’s house
was emptied in the 1990’s and discharge papers were discovered.
Sydney
joined the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade 1904. Honourable discharge 1906.
Service number 75.
Recalled at the start
of the War and landed in France at Le Havre 23
rd
August 1914. Served at the
battles of: See detailed Regimental actions in later pages.
Le Cateau
The Marne
Aisne
Messines
Ypres
2nd
Somme
Following these
adventures
he was transferred to the 1st Reserve Suffolk Regiment in 1916
.
Garrison Battalion. Rank Private, Military Police. Service number 25313.
As far as we can tell he remained in the Garrison
Battalion
in Suffolk until he transferred
(As an aside knowing my Grandfather in the 50's and 60's I am amazed he was a
Military
Policeman
at
this
time
very
much
a
case
of
Poacher
turned
Gamekeeper!)
He
transferred
again
to
the
Royal
Irish
Fusiliers,
Service
Number
31253
Discharged
-
Honourable
disabled
23"September
1918.
He
returned
to
Dowlais.
Sydney’s
mother
Mary
Ann
died
on
23“May
1916
aged
68.
Click here for brother Daniel Riordan
Royal Navy WWI