Pte. EXCELL S.E. 8921 6th Btn, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

Excell, Sidney. DoD: 04/08/1916. Age: 25. Son of Henry and Mary Jane Excell (nee Cashford), Cacketts Farm, Horsmonden, Kent. Occ: Farm Labourer. Unit: 6th Battalion, The Buffs, (East Kent Regiment) Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL.

Private Sidney Excell was one of two brothers who enlisted into the 6th Battalion, The Buffs on the same day 27th November 1915 in the nearby village of Goudhurst. See George Excell…

Both young soldiers joined the same unit and Regiment in Canterbury and were posted to France together on the 16th May 1916.

Both brothers were killed in the same battle within a short time of each other in early August 1916 in the costly attack on Ovillers at the Battle of the Somme during which, they faced some of the heaviest shelling in the campaign.

It is particularly moving to read the letter from the Platoon Leader to Mrs Excell informing her of the death of her two sons, a copy of the letter and a transcription can be seen here.