Born in October 1877 at Twickenham, Middlesex, England, Syndey Bowyer Perrin was one of nine children of Alfred Perrin and Jane Bowyer. Perrin volunteered for service in South Africa during the Anglo-Boer War at an uncertain date enlisting in the South African Constabulary (A Division) in which he served for the duration of his service being discharged on 12 December, 1902. For his service he was entitled to the Queen's South Africa Medal with the clasps "Cape Colony", "Orange Free State", "Transvaal", "South Africa - 1901" and "South Africa - 1902".

Perrin returned to London after his discharge and married Ruth Webley. The couple had two children; Sydney Bowyer Perrin, Jr., (b. 1907) and Ruth Isabel Perrin (b. 1918). In the
1911 Census for Wandsworth Perrin is shown as being employed in a self-owned laundry business.

 

Perrin attested as a territorial (No. 242177) for home service during World War One on 2 October, 1914 at Putney. Serving with No. 438 Agricultural Coy, Labour Corps, he was appointed acting sergeant (cook) although military service did not seem to agree with him this go around. He ran afoul of military discipline repeatedly in 1916 and was brought up on charges that included being absent without leave while in civilian clothes, insolence and refusing orders. Besides being stripped of his acting sergeant appointment Perrin seems to have endured only being confined to barracks for a number of days for his offenses. He later transferred to 29th (Works) Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment on 21 April, 1917. He soldiered on finally being discharged after the end of the war on 19 March, 1919. I have found no mention of Perrin being awarded either the British War of Victory Medals.

Little else has come to light regarding Perrin who passed away in London on 15 February 1952.

This photograph appears to have been taken in while Perrin was on active service in South African an is probably a copy made my London photographer H.R. Hill. The reverse side of
the photo bears the inscription; " Uncle Sydney Perrin, brother of Grandpa Harry James Perrin and Uncle Frank Perrin." Both of these brothers later immigrated to Canada.

Cabinet Photograph
H. R. Hill - Photographer
232 Merton Road, Southshields, Wandsworth, London, England
c. 1901