Born in London 1917, to a Polish father and Russian mother, Sidney Finch was one of seven children.  He later moved to Hampshire, living first at Godshill Ridge, then in the Fordingbridge region, where he chose an alternative way of outdoor life, a more simplistic way.  Spending time in temporary camps in the New Forest with his tent, he would walk around, "with his trolley of tools and worldly possessions", generally barefoot.  As a strict vegetarian, he would often forage for food, eating from the wild.

By profession, a cabinet maker, carpenter and French polisher, Sid was also a recognized New Forest artist in his own right.  A painter of the abstract, a potter who could craft life like heads and a sculptor.  A man of varied talents.  Sidney was a philosopher and would speak of and discuss many topics such as his views on life and politics.  He had an interest in space, which he studied further with his mathematical mind using the Open University and would attend their summer schools. Even writing his own theory of the concept of zero, nothing.