William Sydney Garnett, son of William and Mary Ellen, was baptised at All Saints, Daresbury, in February 1895. He had two sisters, Sarah Ellen and Alice. His father was employed as a groom at the time, though he later became the landlord of the Ring o’ Bells pub. Sydney was educated at Daresbury and Stockton Heath schools, and in the 1911 census he is recorded as a junior clerk, working for a wine and porter merchant.
At the outbreak of war in August 1914, he enlisted with the 11th Hussars, but was soon transferred to the Durham Light Infantry. He rose to the rank of Sergeant, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions in May 1918. He spent the last six months of the war as a prisoner in Darmstadt.
Sydney was married to Norah Smith in 1935, and they lived in Sutton Weaver. After Norah’s death, he married Eileen Peacock in 1951, and the wedding took place at St Luke’s church, Dunham on the Hill. They went to live in Kingsley, where they had three sons.
During his working life, Sydney had been landlord of the Birch and Bottle pub at Whitley, and was a stores superintendent for MANWEB (Merseyside and North Wales Electricity Board). He was a founder member and secretary of the Runcorn branch of the British Legion, and during WW2 he served in the Home Guard, reaching the rank of Captain.
Sydney Garnett died in January 1962, and his funeral was held at St. John’s church in Kingsley.
