SIDNEY (From Hampshire Chronicle)

SIDNEY WALTER PETHERBRIDGE. AGED 82

The funeral was held at St. Paul's Church, Winchester, last Tuesday, of the late Sidney Petherbridge. Apart from his service with the Royal Navy and several years living in Chandler's Ford, Mr Petheridge was a life long resident of Winchester, a city he was very fond of and proud to be associated with.
Mr Petheridge was born on 21st March, 1928, and spent his formative years at a number of addresses in Winchester, attending Holy Trinity Boys School and Danemark Grammar School when it was located in Gordon Road.
At 16, Mr. Petheridge successfully applied to join the Royal Navy. Upon acceptance, he was asked to report to the Southampton Recruiting Office, on Monday, 4th September, 1939, at 9.00am. He would often say how he missed the start of the war by 22 hours. During his eight years service, Mr Petheridge rose from Boy to Leading Telegraphist. He saw action in various parts of the world and took part in the Battle of the Atlantic, Russian Convoys and the was in the Pacific. The summer of 1945, for instance, saw him in the Solomon Islands, preparing for the invasion of Japan. Thankfully instead, he took part in the less dangerous liberation of Hong Kong.
The most significant moment in his wartime service occurred on 25th November, 1941, when, at just 18, he narrowly escaped with his life. The ship he was aboard, HMS Barham, was sailing towards Egypt when she was torpedoed by U. Boat 331. Over 850 officers and men died in the sinking. The experience was to haunt him for the rest of his life.
During his years in the Navy Mr Petheridge developed his love of boxing and occasionally represented the ships on which he served. He was very proud to have been a member of the "Senior Service". In later years, he became Treasurer of HMS Barham Survivors Association and was the last survivor to serve on the committee.
In 1948, Mr Petheridge joined Southern Railway just before its nationalisation into British Railways. He spent almost all the 39 1/2 years of his railway career at Winchester Station. From 1963, until his retirement in 1987, he held the position of Chief Booking Clerk. He was a familiar face at the station to commuters and members of the travelling public alike.
Mr Petheridge was wedded in 1949 and enjoyed 56 years of marriage. He died on 12th December and is survived by his wife, two children and six grandchildren.

12:00am Monday 2nd January 2006