Sydney enlisted on 27th March 1915. He was 25 years and 1 month old; was a tobacconist assistant by trade, and was living at Waterside Ely, Cambridge at the time. On 5th October 1915, he embarked on S.S. City of Chester at Southampton with No 76 Sanitary Section, then entered the war in France at Havre. On 15th October he was admitted into the 110th Field Ambulance suffering with diarrhoea. He was discharged 4 days later but admitted again on 23rd December, with the diagnoses of Enteritis. He was discharged on 1st January 1916 but was admitted into the 108th Field Ambulance 6 days later suffering again from diarrhoea. He died on the Hospital Ship 'St George' at Rouen at 4.10 a.m. from epilepsy, following debility. He was the son of John and Hannah Butcher of The Limes, Market Square, Ely, Cambs.