Somerset Veteran of Zulu and Boer Wars

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Western Daily Press 03 April 1933

An interesting article, I know Taunton like the back of my hand, I remember seeing the name W & A Chapman written in faded paint on an old brick building, I seem to recall that it was in a street called East Reach. Mount Nebo where Mr Thorne lived is a very nice area which backs onto Vivary Park which is the home of the bowling club that Mr Thorne was a member of.

Thanks for posting, if you need any other information on this gentleman please PM me, I am more than happy to help, I also think I know where to find his grave.
Waterloo

Hi Waterloo50

Thanks for the great info and I have PM'd you.

What 1879Graves no service record , or at least the Regiment & Regimental number etc ???
All the best mate
90th

Thanks 90th

I am unable to find him anywhere but Waterloo50 might be able to find out about him.
So fingers crossed.

1879graves wrote:

Thanks 90th

I am unable to find him anywhere but Waterloo50 might be able to find out about him.
So fingers crossed.

Hi graves,

I have made a start on Sidney Herbert Thorne, I wanted to get a little more information on him so that I could check the Somerset County Archives. The info I have at the moment is:
Born Bristol Totterdown in 1860.
Lived 13 The Avenue in the Parish of St James Taunton
Married to Gertrude Mary Chapman.
Both Sidney and his wife Gertrude lived at the home of Gertrude's father 'Arthur Allen Chapman', he owned a linen shop in Taunton East Reach.
I know the place where he used to live and from the records that I have looked at the family were quite wealthy, they weren't doing to bad as they had a live in servant. I think that he was a prominent figure in the town and I would imagine that there will be plenty of other things that I can find on him.

I have searched numerous death records but I can't seem to find Sidney's place of burial but I suspect that he will be buried in either St James Church or St George Wilton. I'm in Taunton next week so I will have a look around for his grave, I'm also going to talk to the president of the bowling club at Vivary where I am certain he would have been a member, hopefully they will have a record or a photo of him along with his bowling team. I will contact Taunton military museum archive department to see if they can help.
Regards
Waterloo

Hi Waterloo

Great work and thank you. Lets hope we can make a connection with the Zulu War and the Newspaper article.

May your search be fruitful.

Graves

Hello graves,

I should be able to find out a bit more about Sidney Thorne later next week, I have an appointment at Somerset County archives, they are letting me have access to the Light Infantry medal list for the AZW along with the muster list for all ranks. Whilst I am there are there any other names that you would like me to look out for?

Waterloo

Hi Waterloo

Many thanks for your offer, I will have a look in my database and get back to you asap.

Graves

Hi Waterloo

If you the time, could you have a look for

Corporal 2060 Turley
Private 1581 George Bull

Many thanks