Sidney Witcomb

Sidney Witcomb was an engineer and one of the official photographers in the Bournemouth Volunteer Fire Brigade at the 1900 Paris Olympics. He served the brigade for 18 years from 1884-1902, and was second officer at the time of him leaving the force to move to Yeovil, where he lived for 44 years.

The son of a pioneering photographer from Ilford, Witcomb started life as an apprentice watchmaker at the age of 14. He too, however, went on to become well known as a photographer in the Bournemouth area. Witcomb continued his business after moving to Yeovil, and he obtained the Royal seal of approval after photographing several members of the Royal Family including Kings Edward VII and George V. Witcomb died at Yeovil in 1947, having been married to his wife Melina for more that 60 years. He was also close to completing 50 years in the Freemasons at the time of his death.