1914/15 Star named 1073 SJT S G KERRY BERSK YEO, British War & Victory Medals named CAPT S G KERRY & Territorial Efficiency Medal named 1073 SJT S G KERRY BERSK YEO.
Sidney Gordon Kerry born 14th July 1886 in Thelnetham, Suffolk was living in Reading with his parents in the 1901 census as a 14 year financial clerk. In Oct 1906 he joined the Berksh Yeomanry numbered 1073 and rose through the ranks to become a Troop Sgt just as WW1 started. He was sent to Gallipoli, landing in Alexandria Egypt on 21st Apr 1915. Early in May 1915 the Brigade was ordered to move to Cairo, and on 3 May the Berkshire Yeomanry entrained in Alexandria, arriving at Cairo the next day, where they occupied the Kasr el Nil Barracks. Here they trained for battles in the desert and on 30th July 1915, the Division was ordered to hold itself in readiness for an immediate move and the move was confirmed on 10 August to Gallipoli. The Second Mounted Division, having arrived from Egypt via Mudros, landed at Suvla Bay on 18 August 1915 under fire from Turkish batteries and immediately dug in.
On the evening of 20th Aug 1915 orders were received for the Division to march forward that night. The move started at 7pm and to carry extra ammunition, two days' emergency rations, and picks and shovels as well as the ordinary entrenching tools. They arrived at Hill Lala Baba which provided cover, till they were ready to attack the next day.
On 21st Aug 1915 in the early afternoon, there was a terrific naval bombardment of the Turkish trenches for about two hours and then the British attack started with the Berkshire Yeomanry as the lead regiment. Within 100 yards of the trenches they found some cover and then made a massive charge with bayonets and took the trenches from the Turks. But later that day the Turks counter attacked and took back the trenches. During this action Sidney was wounded in action with gun shot wounds to his right thigh and femur. He was in fact reported as killed in action and later confirmed just wounded in action on 25th Aug 1915.
Sidney was taken off Gallipoli by hospital boat and sent back to Egypt and then on to England to recover. He was put into the 6th Reserve Depot numbered 14957 and when recovered to Labour Corps numbered 104049 with 174 Company. He gain a commission in the Labour Corps on 19th Jul 1917 and was posted to Base Depot, Boulogne. He was made a Adjutant and Acting Captain in Mar 1918 and released from this on 3rd Jul 1918, he was not thought off highly by his commanding officer and he attempted to try and get sent back to the Berkshire Yeomanry but failed. Made Lt on 22nd Jan 1919 and lleft as a Captain on 15th Dec 1920.
