• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Roberts and Arscott family history

Four centuries of my ancestors in Devon

  • Home
  • About
  • Information
  • Newspapers
  • Latest
  • Contact

ON THIS DAY…May 24, 1940: Sydney killed in Battle of Narvik

24 May 2023

On this day in 1940, Sydney James Rice (1911-1940) was killed in Norway in the Second World War.

Sydney, a sergeant in the 55 (Devon) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the Royal Artillery, lost his life in the Battle of Narvik – against invading German forces – on May 24, 1940.  He was 29.

The sea and air battle was fought between April 9 and June 8, 1940.

Sydney was buried at Ballangen New Cemetery, near Narvik.

His headstone includes the following inscription from his wife, Phyllis: ‘To the world, just another soldier; to me, just all the world. Phill.’

He is also remembered on Bratton Clovelly War Memorial.

On May 30, 1941, The Western Times reported that a Lamp of Maintenance – given to the Okehampton Branch of Toc H on its elevation from group to branch status – was dedicated in memory of Sydney.

Paul Roberts

NOTES

Sydney was the son of James Rice (1882-1951) and Emma Jane Townsend (1886-1956). Emma was the daughter of William Richard Townsend (1859-1935) and Jane Turner (1860-1930). William’s sister, Ellen Townsend (1872-) married George Martin (1868-1948) in 1895 in South Molton. George was the son of Charlotte Arscott (1836-1906) and George Martin Snr (1841-1912). Charlotte was the daughter of Hugh Arscott (1809-1878). Hugh was the brother of John Arscott (1807-1979), my great-great grandfather.

Born in 1911 in Sandford, Sydney married Phyllis Margaret Baker (1915-) in 1937 in Okehampton. They lived at Domons Lodge, Bratton Clovelly.

Picture below

Aerial view of Narvik during the Second World War. Photo by T.K. Derry (1952). The Campaign in Norway. HMSO, Public domain image, via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Narvik.jpg

Share this post:

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Rifleman Louis survived Great War after being shot in the head
  • Your family history – told in a unique newspaper
  • Unveiled: An extraordinary story that would have shocked the world
  • Boy who went to Australia served as field ambulanceman in WW2
  • Cook’s mate Ernest’s day of high drama in Battle of Jutland

Search

Data, Terms & Privacy Statement | Home | Contact Me

Copyright © 2025 · Roberts and Arscott family history
Website designed and hosted by Mid Wales Design

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Read MoreAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT