Sydney Wald – South Wales Borderers, 1st Brecknockshire Battalion

Private Sydney Wald – South Wales Borderers, 1st Brecknockshire Battalion

Early Life and Family Background

Sydney Wald

Sydney Wald was born in 1917 in Leeds, Yorkshire, the son of Sam Wald and Gertrude (Gerty) Wineberg, who had married in 1915 in Leeds. The Walds were part of the Jewish communities that had settled across northern England before moving to South Wales during the early twentieth century.

1921 Census

By the time of the 1921 Census, the family were living at 39 Brunswick Street, Swansea. Sydney’s father, Sam Wald, aged 30 and born in Russia, was employed as a Tailor by Sipmar Leyland, while his wife Gerty, aged 27 and also Russian‑born, undertook the household duties. Their only child at that time was Sydney, aged 4. Also present in the home was Sam’s younger brother Jack, aged 16, reflecting the close‑knit nature of many Jewish immigrant families.

1939 Register

Growing Up in Swansea

The 1939 Register shows the Wald family still residing at 39 Brunswick Street. Sam had become a Master Tailor, Gertie continued to manage the home, and Sydney, now a young man, worked as a Gents’ Hairdresser. Also living in the household was Mervyn Wald, recorded as a Student, completing the picture of a stable and industrious Swansea Jewish family.

Sydney grew up deeply rooted in the local community. Though born in Leeds, he spent nearly all his life in Swansea and became well‑known among the town’s Jewish youth for his friendly manner and his work as a hairdresser.

Military Service

During the early months of the Second World War, Sydney enlisted in the South Wales Borderers, serving with the 1st Brecknockshire Battalion as a Private. His service formed part of the widespread mobilisation of young men across Wales during the tense and uncertain opening phase of the conflict.

The Accidental Death of Private Sydney Wald

Sydney’s death on 16 June 1940 was widely reported in local newspapers, and an inquest was held to determine the circumstances. The inquiry revealed a tragic accident.

On the Sunday in question, Sydney was in a hut with several other soldiers when Private John Reginald Carpenter believed he heard the instruction “Unload magazines.” Carpenter began to clear his rifle. As he did so, the bolt jammed; in attempting to free it, the weapon discharged unexpectedly, striking Sydney and killing him instantly.

During the inquest, the Deputy Acting Coroner, Mr. C. Bolton, observed that the rifle’s magazine appeared stiff. An officer explained that the weapon was a 1914 pattern rifle, older and more prone to mechanical difficulty. After reviewing all evidence, the Coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure, concluding that Carpenter had accidentally touched the trigger while unloading the rifle.

Sydney Wald
Swansea Jewish Cemetery
credit - findagrave

A Young Life Cut Short

Private Sydney Wald was 23 years old and had been in the Army for about a year. In civilian life he was a hairdresser, well‑liked and well‑known among Swansea’s Jewish youth. His death brought profound sorrow to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. Wald, and to the wider Jewish community who had watched him grow from childhood into early adulthood.

Burial

Sydney’s body was brought home to Swansea, where he was laid to rest in the Swansea Jewish Cemetery. His grave stands as a poignant reminder of a young life ended not in battle, but through the tragic hazards of wartime service.