Sidney Murrell Portchmouth was born on 21 November 1892 in Buckland, Berkshire, the eighth of the nine children of William Charles Portchmouth (1858-1923) and Frances Jane Portchmouth, née Gee (1853-1907). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1892 in the Farringdon Registration District, Berkshire.
His eight siblings were: Frances Annie Portchmouth (1881-1951); Edith Laura Portchmouth (1882-1963); Agnes Gertrude Portchmouth (1884-1975); Ethel May Portchmouth (1886-1927); Charles Frederick Howard Portchmouth (1887-1958); Kate Elizabeth Portchmouth (1889-1959); Beatrice Ellen Portchmouth (1891-1964) and Mabel Lilian Portchmouth (1896-1920).
In the 1901 census he was shown as aged 8 years and living in Buckland, Berkshire, with his parents and five of his siblings: Ethel May Portchmouth; Charles Frederick Howard Portchmouth; Kate Elizabeth Portchmouth; Beatrice Ellen Portchmouth and Mabel Lilian Portchmouth. His father was described as a police constable.
In April 1907 he was appointed as a Boy Messenger in the London Postal Service Controller's Department. In July 1910 he was promoted to the grade of Assistant Postman in Paddington, on 6 January 1911 he became a Paper-keeper at the Post Office Savings Bank and on 5 May 1911 a male sorter in London.
The 1911 census shows him as aged 18 years and boarding with a family called Matthews in their nine roomed property at 31 Hormead Road, London, W9. His occupation was recorded as a Civil Servant, working for the Post Office.
During World War 1 he served in three regiments, as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers, service number 47458, as a Rifleman in the 8th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Post Office Rifles), service number 48691, and in the 7th Royal Fusiliers, service number GS/96069. He entered France on 1 December 1914 and was discharged into the reserves on 25 March 1919. He was subsequently awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
On 7 May 1921 he married May Lucia Gardner (1893-1964) at Holy Trinity Church, Marylebone Road, Westminster, London, where in the marriage register he is shown as aged 28 years, a bachelor and a civil servant, residing in the parish of New Malden & Coombe, Surrey (now Greater London), the son of William Charles Portchmouth, a retired police constable, whilst his wife was described as aged 27 years and a spinster living at 89 Hallam Street, Marylebone, the daughter of Frederick Gardner, a tailor.
When he completed his 1921 census return form he showed himself as aged 28 years, 7 months, a civil servant employed by the General Post Office at the London Western District Office, Wimpole Street, London, W1, living at 76 Cromwell Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19, with his wife.
They had two children: Lieutenant Commander Roy Sidney Portchmouth (1924-2008) and Iris May Portchmouth (1927-1982).
From 1927, electoral registers show him living with his wife at 51 Whitmore Gardens, London, NW10 and the 1939 England and Wales Register confirms he was still there with his wife, that his date of birth was 21 November 1892 and that he was employed as a civil servant (GPO sorter). It was here that on 16 November 1940, aged 47 years, he was killed by a high explosive bomb.
His death was registered in the 4th quarter of 1940 in the Willesden Registration District, Middlesex (now Greater London) and his body was buried in Willesden Municipal Borough Cemetery, Franklyn Road, London, NW10 9TE.
Probate records confirm his address had been 51 Whitmore Gardens, London, NW10. Probate was granted on 6 June 1941 to his brother Charles Frederick Howard Portchmouth, a P.O. overseer and his effects totalled £1,013-5s-10d. On 19 June 1941 the Royal Mail sent his £285-6s-7d gratuity for his service in the GPO, his final grade being an overseer, to his executor.
He is shown as 'PORTCHMOUTH S.M.' on the Western Postal District war memorial in Mount Pleasant, London, WC1. He is also shown, incorrectly as 'PORTCHMOUTH SYDNEY 47' on the Civilian War Memorial in Willesden Municipal Borough Cemetery, Franklyn Road, London, NW10 9TE. He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website that currently (2025) shows him incorrectly as having died aged 49 years.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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