Sidney James Herrington

Sidney Herrington was one of the oldest Patrol Leaders, being 63 in 1940. He had served in the Royal Marine Light Infantry in between 1895 and 1902, then as a police constable on the Isle of Wight by 1907. He re-enlisted in the First World War and because of his experience was sent to Gibraltar in 1916, aged 40, to guard the Dockyard there as a member of the Military Foot Police (an Army unit).

At some point between the wars, he returned to his home village of Woodyates. On 13th December 1943, he had to leave Auxiliary Units as he was deemed too old for service. Oddly the same didn't apply to George Watts who was even older. Corporal Callow was promoted Sergeant and took over as Patrol Leader.