Selway, S J
SIDNEY JAMES SELWAY
Remembered with honour Portsmouth Naval Memorial: Panel 21.
He enlisted 12 September 1912 in London: a farm labourer aged 18, 5’8″ tall, C of E; next-of-kin his father of Potters Bar, Middx. He was a Gunner from 22 August 1913 until promoted to Bombardier 22 May 1916. He served aboard Queen Mary from 5 September 1913, and was entitled to the Victory, British War and Star medals. He was killed or died as a direct result of enemy action during the Battle of Jutland when Queen Mary was hit twice by the German battlecruiser Derfflinger and her magazines exploded shortly afterwards, sinking the ship. His mother of Luton, Beds, was notified of his death.
Son of Joseph James and Anna (nee KEEN) SELWAY.
His parents married 8 May 1888 at St Lawrence’s, Little Stanmore, Middx. Joseph died 1918 in the Hendon, Middx, district aged 63, and was buried 17 October in Paines Lane Cemetery, Pinner, Middx; Anna died 24 April 1937 in Barnet, Herts, aged 78.
Sidney was born 5 May 1894 in New Barnet, and baptised January 1894 at St Lawrence’s, Little Stanmore.
On the 1901 Census, aged 6 he lived in Sutton, Surrey, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, at school aged 16 he still lived in Sutton, with his parents and three siblings.
Service number
RMA/13045 (PO)Rank
GunnerUnit
H.M.S. Queen MaryRegiment
Date of death
31/05/1916Age at death
22Place of death
Memorial(s)
- 1st S.W. Herts Scout Troop [in St Mary's Parish Church Watford] (4)
- Abbot's Langley Herts War Memorial (17)
- Aldbury Herts War Memorial (1)
- Aldenham Herts War Memorial (located in Letchmore Heath Herts) (8)
- All Saints Church Croxley Green Herts (12)
- All Saints Church Harrow Weald Middx (2)
- All Saints Church Hertford (1)
- All Saints Church King's Langley Herts (1)
- All Saints Church Leavesden Herts (31)
- All Saints Church Witham Essex (3)