Rifleman Sidney George Lewin, 2154, 4th Battalion Rifle Brigade, was killed in action on March 1st, 1915. Only son of Sarah Lewin and the late George William Lewin, of 23 Winsdon Road, Luton, he was aged 24.

Official War Office notification received by his mother that resulted in a The Luton News report at the time said he was killed in action on March 2nd. The March 1st date is contained on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

Pte Lewin was born in Luton and attended Chapel Street and Waller Street schools. He went to work in London, and eight years before his death joined the Rifle Brigade. He served abroad for seven years, first in Egypt and then in India, and was placed on the Reserve when his time expired in June 1914.

He then decided to come home to his mother and three sisters (Florrie, May and Cissie), and was with them just five days before being called up in November. He had hoped to obtain a position as a military clerk at Woolwich to remain near his mother, whom he had not previously seen for seven years.

The family had previously lived in Bute Street and Wellington Street, Luton. Mr Lewin Snr was described as a coffee house manager in the 1891 Census. By 1901, Sarah is described as head of the household and a workhouse laundress.

Military records show that Sydney (signed with a 'y') George Lewin attested with the 3rd Battalion Beds Regiment in November 1906 and transferred to the Rifle Brigade in June 1907. His age in November 1906 was given as 17 years 6 months (apparent age 18 years 6 months). He was just under 5ft 3in tall, had light brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. His next of kin were listed as Sarah and his three sisters.

Pte Lewin is commemorated at Voormezeele Enclosures, Belgium, and included on the Luton Roll of Honour.