Sydney Albert James

Sydney Albert James was a Freemason and member of Lodge Temperance 2557 who served in the 2nd World War. A letter to the Provincial Grand Secretary of Northumberland from WBro John Sowerby, Secretary, and dated 7th November 1947 attached a list of the names and service of forty three Brethren and Brother Sydney is shown as serving in the Royal Air Force.

At the Lodge Temperance 2557 meeting held at the Royal Assembly Rooms, Westgate Road, on 16^th September 1940 Sydney was proposed by Bro G. H. Brown and seconded by WBro George Goodall, as a fit and proper person to be made a Freemason.

He was a 32 year old Drapery Salesman residing at 162, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, Co. Durham.  A successful ballot was held the same evening and he was initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Ancient Freemasonry on 16^th December 1940. He was passed to the second or Fellowcraft degree on 18^th August 1941 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on 17^th August 1942.

Unfortunately, military service records after 1920 are only available to proven next of kin and we have not been able to identify any of Sydney’s military information from records available to the general public.

Sydney was born on 9^th December 1908 in Alnwick, Northumberland to Thomas Moore Thompson and Florence James. Dad Thomas was a cabinet maker in furniture manufacturing from Alnwick in Northumberland and Florence from North Walsham, Norfolk. Thomas married Florence Amies in Alnwick in 1908 and they had at least 3 children:

• Sydney Albert (9/12/1908 – 1/02/1976)
• Caroline Isabel (29/09/1920 – 04/1977)
• Florence Elsie (1914 – 1914)

Sydney married Sarah I Roche in Gateshead at the outset of World War 2 in 1941. They had at least 2 children. Sydney died 1^st February 1976 in Gateshead and was still residing at 162, Prince Consort Road. He left £7971 in his will.