437461 CSM Sydney A. Messum MiD

Sydney Arthur Messum was an old soldier when he joined the 49th Battalion (E.R.) in Shorncliffe. Originally from London, England, he had served in South Africa during the Boer War before immigrating to Canada. He was wounded during the holding action at Hessian Trench in early October but later recovered and returned to duty. Messum was eventually killed leading his company from the front during the advance on Cambrai and is today buried in Mill Switch British Cemetery.