Goldsmith, Sydney Mansfield

Wing Commander Sydney Mansfield Goldsmith

Goldsmith was born at High Street, Ballynahinch on 27th February 1897 to Sydney Howard Goldsmith, Bank Clerk and Mary Goldsmith nee Mulligan. They were married on 9th October 1888 at St. Anne's Church of Ireland with his occupation recorded as a Clerk. His father, Oliver Goldsmith was a Clerk in Holy Orders.

In 1901 Goldsmith (4) is living in house 3, Ballynahinch Street, Hillsborough with his parents and 4 siblings; William A L (10), Mary E (8), Oliver L (2) and Noel (0). House 3 is recorded on the census return as a 'private' dwelling and may have been the 'bank house'. The father is described as a Bank Manager [of Northern Bank, Hillsborough]. Later newspaper reports Mr S H Goldsmith as a retired bank manager, Holywood and a 'hand-writing expert'.

Sydney Goldsmith Senior was the owner of one of the first cars to be registered in County Antrim:

County Antrim Car or Bicycle Registrations

By 1911 Goldsmith is living in house 7, Ballynahinch Street, Hillsborough with his parents and siblings. A visitor, Frederick Wilfred Seymour and a servant, Mary Kate Meehan are also present in the property. The father's occupation is a Bank Manager and a sibling, William Arthur Loftus Goldsmith (20 - see photo at end) is described as a Bank Clerk. The buildings return confirms the house as Northern Bank House, Hillsborough.

Northern Bank House and branch, Hillsborough

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Goldsmith's mother (M) and sister (M E) signed the Women’s Ulster Declaration (Covenant) at Hillsborough Court House.

Goldsmith was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI - Inst). He was also a member of Lisnagarvey Hockey Club.

Goldsmith joined Northern Bank in 1914 and worked in Dromore branch.

Northern Bank, Dromore branch

Goldsmith was based in Dromore branch when he volunteered and enlisted into the 19th Battalion Royal Fusiliers with Service Number PS/6331. His first theatre of ware is recorded as France from 14th November 1915.  

S M Goldsmith - Medal Index Card

The Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette of 25th August 1916 reported on the remand of Sydney:

The Oxfordshire Weekly News of 6th September 1916 reported on his committal to trial:

The Oxfordshire Weekly News of 25th October 1916 reported on the trial and his acquittal:

The official court record:

Goldsmith was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 31st October 1916. He saw action in Arras 1917, Ypres 1917 and Cambrai 1917. 

The Belfast News Letter of 23rd April 1917 reports Goldsmith as serving with the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) and receiving a wound in his right leg.

The bank staff record card records Goldsmith as leaving the bank on 3rd August 1917.

In late 1918, Goldsmith transferred to the Central Flying School, Upavon. In November 1918, he was promoted to Lieutenant.

Demobilisation came in May 1919. His war record documents describe this event as 'Trans(ferred) unemployed list 4/5/19'.

Goldsmith was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

S M Goldsmith - Medal Roll (Depot, Royal Fusiliers)

S M Goldsmith - Medal Roll (Royal Fusiliers, subsequently commissioned)

As a result of his injury, a pension record card exists for him:

S M Goldsmith - Pension Record Card

On 16th July 1921, Goldsmith (24) married Miss Doris Mary Purdy at Christ Church, Epsom giving his address as Naval & Military Hotel, Kensington and his occupation as Bank Manager.

S M Goldsmith - Marriage Registration

An Ancestry family tree records the couple as having 3 children; Leslie Mary Goldsmith (1922 to 2010, Barry Mansfield Goldsmith (1929 to 2014) and an un-named child.

The 1939 Register (small census) records Sydney and Doris Goldsmith. The 1939 Register provides a snapshot of the civilian population of England and Wales just after the outbreak of the Second World War. 

1939 Register

The London Gazette records his career as 2nd Lieutenant (1916), Acting Pilot Officer – RAF with Service Number 76060 (1939), Pilot Officer (1940), Flight Lieutenant and Squadron Leader (1944). He relinquished his commission in 1954 and was permitted to retain the rank of Wing Commander. He may also have been awarded an OBE.

 
On 20th February 1945 a Canadian Patent was issued for an ‘Aircraft Pilot Training Apparatus’. The inventors are named as George Edmund Hill and S M Goldsmith.

His father died in 1947 and his mother in 1952.

Sydney Goldsmith died, aged 83 in January 1981 with the registration taking place in Rutland, Leicestershire. His wife, Doris pre-deceased him in 1959.

S M Goldsmith - Probate

(*) William Arthur Loftus Goldsmith photograph:

W A L Goldsmith