Walter Sydney Wheeler was born in the autumn of 1887 in Crockerton, Wiltshire. The oldest of three children, his parents were Walter and Lore Wheeler. Walter Sr was an agricultural labour, but when his son – who was known by his middle name – finished school, he found work as a stable boy. The 1901 census found the family living at 12 Church Street, Longbridge Deverill.

Sydney married a woman called Mary in 1907. There is little information about her, and the couple did not go on to have any children. By the time of the 1911 census, the couple were living at Priors Cottages, Semley, where Sydney had found farm work.

War came to Europe in 1914, and Sydney stepper up to play his part. Full details of his service have been lost to time, but it is clear that he had joined up no later than the summer of 1918. He initially joined the Devonshire Regiment, but later transferred to the 651st Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps. By the end of the conflict he had risen to the rank of Lance Corporal.

Sydney survived the war, and by the start of 1919, he was back in Wiltshire. His health was impacted, however, and that February he was admitted to the VAD Hospital in Trowbridge. While his condition is unknown, it was one to which he would succumb. Lance Corporal Wheeler passed away on 8th February 1919, at the age of 31 years old.

The body of Walter Sydney Wheeler was taken to Longbridge Deverill for burial: he was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Peter & St Paul’s Church.

---