The Bydawell Family

[sapper5]

I have just completed some extensive research on this family, father John Bydawell and three sons.

 

John Bydawell was a telegraphist who served with the Telegraph Division of the Royal Engineers in South Africa from 1900 to 1902 (4688 Sapper).  At 54 years of age he lied about his age and enlisted in the R.E. to serve in the Great War and was posted to the 35th Divisional Signal Company.  I have his QSA medal and Imperial Service Medal (for post office service).  I don't know where his KSA or Great War trio have gotten to.  I have his service papers from both wars.

 

His son, 27105 Sapper Leonard Sampson Bydawell, R.E. served with the original BEF.  I have his 1914 Star trio, but no service papers could be found.

 

His son, 51047 Private Edgar Robert Bydawell, 19th London also served in the R.A.M.C.  He was awarded a 1914-15 trio.  No service papers found.

 

His son, 86823 Horace William Bydawell, R.E also was awarded the 1914-15 Star trio.  No service papers found.

 

It is unfortunate that that this family group has been split up.  I was fortunate to be able to unite the father and one son, but the location of the medals of the other two sons remains a mystery.

 

I would dearly love to find some photographs of any of these men.

 

The link to my research on these men may be found at www.reubique.com/Bydawell.htm

 

 

[sadbrewer]

Not a photo...but it may be interesting if you've not seen it before...from May 28th 1915.

Courtesy of the British Newspaper Archive 

 

 

 

From July 30th 1915.

 

 

Nov 12th 1915

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0002285%2f19151112%2f054&stringtohighlight=bydawell

 

 

 

Long article on John Bydawell from 1921.

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0002285%2f19210204%2f077&stringtohighlight=bydawell

 

Edited 20 May , 2020 by sadbrewer

[sapper5]

Dear sadbrewer,

 

Many thanks.  These are great articles and they add much to the story of these men.

 

Much obliged,

 

Ed