Alwyn Sidaway (1911 - 1941)

Born 1911 in Rowley Regis, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Died 5 Aug 1941 at about age 30 in At sea

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Biography

Alwyn was born in 1911 at Old Hill, Rowley Regis, Staffordshire, the son of Alfred Sidaway and Beryl Sidaway formerly Willetts. ^[1]

In the 1911 census Alwyn was living with his parents at 104 Laurence [sic] Lane, Rowley Regis. He was only one day of age and at that time unnamed. ^[2]

A Postal Service Appointment Register recorded Alwyn Sidaway was nominated on 3 January 1938 to a position simply recorded as wireless. A place of employment was not recorded. ^[3]

Alwyn then joined the Merchant Navy, probably at the start of WWII. He was not recorded in the 1939 Register.

Alwyn Sidaway died on 5 August 1941 aged 30 years. He drowned when the ship he was on, S. S. Swiftpool, was sunk by enemy action. Alwyn was the First Radio Officer. ^[4]
S. S. Swiftpool was in convoy SL-81 west of Ireland when she was torpedoed by U-372. There were only 2 survivors from a total crew of 44. ^[5]

Members of the crew who died that day are commemorated at Tower Hill, London. Alwyn's name is on Panel 105. Photographs of the memorial showing his name can be viewed at Find A Grave: Memorial #15372954

From the 1942 Index of Wills and Administrations – SIDAWAY Alwyn of 104 Lawrence-lane Old Hill Staffordshire died on or since 5 August 1941 on war service Administration Birmingham 23 October to Alfred Sidaway newsagent. Effects £897 12s. 2d.
Further Grant 11 September 1956 to Lloyds Bank Limited. Effects £1120 4s. 5d.
The second grant followed the death of father Alfred Sidaway. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp
   GRO Birth Index
   SIDAWAY, ALWYN Mother's maiden name WILLETTS
   GRO Reference: 1911 J Quarter in DUDLEY Volume 06C Page 13
2. ↑ 1911 census RG14PN17364 RG78PN1064 RD372 SD1 ED15 SN130
3. ↑ Register can be viewed at Ancestry.com. UK, Postal Service Appointment Books, 1737-1969 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
   Original data: British Postal Museum and Archive; London, England; Post Office: Staff nomination and appointment, 1831-1969; Series Number: POST 58; Reference: 134
4. ↑ Register of Deceased Seaman held at The National Archives, Archive reference BT 334, Box 0098
   The register can also be viewed at Find My Past - British Armed Forces And Overseas Deaths And Burials
5. ↑ https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?16842
6. ↑ https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills