Vimy Week Stories - Private Sidney Halliday

Private Sidney Halliday, from Lynch Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, was born on October 20th 1895. Halliday served in the 78th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Winnipeg) during the First World War. In March 1913, he departed from Liverpool and moved to New Brunswick before settling in Manitoba as a farmer. In December 1915, he enlisted in the military and served until August 11, 1918, when he lost his life in Hallu, France, during the Battle of Amiens.

Halliday was originally commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, which honours soldiers who were missing, presumed dead with no known graves. However, between 2006-2007, multiple sets of remains were discovered on private property in Hallu, France. Among them was an individual carrying a locket containing two locks of hair and a card inscribed with the name “L. Walmsley.” This locket was identified as a keepsake given to Halliday by his sweetheart, Lizzie Walmsley, who was also named in his will. This discovery helped to identify his remains.

On May 13, 2015, Private Sidney Halliday was laid to rest at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Caix British Cemetery in Caix, France.

Explore the stories of the 11,285 Canadians Commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial by using the Vimy: Living Memorial app. Download now to explore their legacies.