Today we remember our Kingham Hill alumnus, Sidney Collier who born in Ware, Hertfordshire on 22nd December 1894 and resided in Latimer House, the Founder's London-based home for young men.
After leaving Latimer House Sidney worked for a draper's merchant, leaving to volunteer in the Army after war was declared.
Sidney joined the 9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment as a Private and bravely fought alongside soldiers during the Battle of the Somme advancing from Mansell Copse towards Mametz, sadly losing his life on the first day.
Sidney is buried in the Devonshire Cemetery on the Somme and two of our Latimer pupils laid a wreath at his grave during the school's French and History trip three weeks ago as our mark of remembrance.
By all the glories of the day
And the cool evening's benison
By that last sunset touch that lay
Upon the hills when day was done,
By beauty lavishly outpoured
And blessings carelessly received,
By all the days that I have lived
Make me a soldier, Lord.
Before Action by Lieutenant William Noel Hodgson, 9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment