Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

When enlisting for WW1 in 1914 he gave his age as 30 years. When enlisting WW2 he lowered his age giving his date of birth as 29 June 1890.

Son of Francis John Vale and LIzzie Vale nee Hiil of Fawkner Street, South Yarra, Victoria.

On 4 December 1918 Sydney married Annie Mary Ryder in Highbury Parish Church, London, England. Vicar G. D. Griffiths officiated.

Commenced return to Australia, from WW1, on 10 May 1919 aboard HT Wahehe disembarking on 28 June 1919

Medals WW1: 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Next of kin for his WW2 Service was given as his sister Vera Vale of Lansdown Road, East St. Kilda, Victoria

Medals WW2: War Medal, Australian Service Medal

Son of Francis John and Lizzie Gower Vale; husband of Annie Mary Vale.

ADDITION husband of Annie Mary nee Ryder Vale

Sydney VALE (1881-1943)

Sydney Vale was born on 29th June 1881 at or near Beechworth Victoria to Lizzie Gower nee Hill and Francis John Vale. His father was head school teacher at Myrtleford School. Sydney would have been raised in the four roomed school residence, together with his nine siblings.

His father died in 1911 at Myrtleford. Perhaps this death might have been the catalyst for Syd to move to Scottsdale, Tasmania where he was employed as a saw doctor.

He served for 2 years with the Victorian Mounted Rifles prior to WW1.

When Sydney Vale enlisted in the 56th Infantry on 21 Aug 1914, aged 24, his nearest of kin was his mother, Mrs F. Vale of 54 Fawkner Street, South Yarra, Victoria. His occupation is shown as saw-doctor. His pay rate before embarkation was 5 shillings per diem. After embarkation it seems 2 shillings was deferred and presumably paid to his mother. His mother’s address was later changed to State School Coomord near Daylesford, Victoria. (She was a teacher.)

His first regimental number, 378, suggests he was amongst the first to enlist after the 4th Aug 1914 declaration of war. It was only 17 days between the declaration and Syd’s attestation. He later had the numbers 2500 and then V35657 (WW2). He was 5 feet 8 inches tall and had blue eyes.

He served in Egypt, Turkey (Gallipoli) and France.

His brother Percy Vale also served in the army in WW1.

His individual WW1 record does not contain much specific information but the battalion history shows they proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December 1914 and after a period of training it took part in the Landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915, where it went ashore as part of the second wave. Shortly after the landing the 2nd Brigade was transferred from Anzac Cove to Cape Helles to assist in the attack on Krithia. During the unsuccessful attack, the 6th Battalion suffered heavy casualties, losing 133 men killed or died of wounds. Afterwards, they returned to Anzac Cove, arriving there on 17 May, to take part in defending the beachhead that had been established. In August, when the Allies attempted a break out, the battalion took part in the attack on Lone Pine. In September they were withdrawn for a period of rest to Lemnos. They returned in November and resumed defensive duties. By that time, due to the failure of August offensive, the campaign evolved into a stalemate. They remained in the line December, when the Allies carried out a successful evacuation. During the campaign they lost 22 officers and 398 other ranks killed.

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt where they received reinforcements and carried out defensive duties. During this time the AIF was reorganised and expanded as fresh divisions were raised. In order to spread experience across the new units, the existing units were split up and the 6th Battalion provided half its experienced officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) to the 58th Battalion. In March 1916, it sailed to France and deployed to the Somme, where it was sent to a quiet sector near Fleurbaix. Its first combat came on 12 June when the battalion launched a trench raid on the Germans opposite their position. Their first major action in France came later, however, at Pozières in July 1916, during which time they lost 102 men killed.[13] Later the battalion fought at Ypres, in Belgium, before returning to the Somme in winter, during which time they undertook defensive duties as well as patrols into no man's land. After this the battalion took part in the Second Battle of Bullecourt, before taking part in the Battle of Menin Road in September 1917, when Lieutenant Frederick Birks earned the 6th Battalion's only Victoria Cross.

A 9 Jul 1917 article in the Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser reads:-

The following letter received by Miss
Robinson, was read at the Red Cross
meeting:-
"France, 19/4/17. Dear Miss Robertson, I got amongst the shirts yesterday and in the pocket of one, was a letter (dated March 24, 1916) from you. In your letter you mention that so far no one has acknowledged the receipt of a shirt. You will understand why when you get, this note. It is over twelve months, since you wrote, and the shirt has just been issued; probably many others sent away at the same time are just being issued, and you will be getting quite a budget of letters thanking you. Every man appreciates any gift he receives, and if all you people who work at making comfortable
things for the boys here could only hear a part even of the nice things said about you, you would be quite satisfied that your efforts to please us and help us are not in vain. Just now there are big things happening; no long gaps between events either. I daresay you will have read in the local papers: the account of the taking of Bapaume on the 17th March. Since then a number of other places have been taken, and thou sands of Germans have been wiped out and thousands taken prisoners. Unfortunately our troops have suffered pretty severely; of course, nothing in comparison with the enemy. Our casualties, killed, wounded, and missing, only number a few hundreds. You can form no idea of the state of the country and the villages. In many cases there is not a wall left standing, where a few weeks ago there was quite a decent town. The ground for miles round these places is torn up, and it is not possible to go ten yards in any direction in a straight line. I will not write any more. Did not intend to write so much. I only wished to thank you and your fellow workers, and to assure you that even if gifts are not acknowledged they are always appreciated. Yours sincerely,. Sydney Vale, Staff-sergeant, 10th
A.A.S.C.

His military records include a certified extract of a marriage certificate. He was aged 39 when he married Annie Mary Ryder, aged 40, at London’s Highbury Parish Church on 4 Dec 1918. Annie was the daughter of Edward Augustus Ryder (deceased). They were both resident at 129A Highbury, New Park at the time of the marriage. Yes, this was an English branch of the same Ryder family into which Lizzie Gower nee Hill Vale’s Sister Annie married…and is connected with the Mosman house.

The WW1 Australian nominal roll shows he was Staff Sergeant who served with 10 Coy A.S.C. and he embarked for Australia on 10 May 1919 with his wife. They returned to Australia on 28 June 1919 on board the ship HMT Wahehe (formerly named Wadigo, this was a German ship captured by the British Navy . A "war prize", it was renamed "Empire Citizen". It was torpedoed and sunk by a German U boat on 3 February 1941.)

An application for qualification “Notes of evidence” state “farming mostly all life with break of a couple of years 1910-11 in sawmill in Tasmania as Saw Sharpener. Worked for Mr Canning at Glenrowan. Have stack builded, plough, drill reaper & binder & and for Mr Carney at Greta also at Myrtleford. Produces references. Wants mixed farming milking pigs lucern. Has inspected Stanhope irrigation land. Has a friend there MR F G Porter ) who has been granted a block. Would like adjoining block. porter would assist him.”

A personal reference by Captain Hennessey, a farmer and grazier of Glenrowan (and formerly Major, AIF) attested to knowing Syd for for over 12 years during which he “was employed on mixed farming, dairying, sheep breeding and general farm work. He proved himself a capable and reliable man and fully capable of managing a farm. He has a thorough knowledge of stock of all kinds. Should opportunity offer itself he will prove himself a prosperous farmer. Mr Vale served with me in the AIF since 1914 and I cannot speak too highly of his general character. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant in that office he was most efficient” .

The reference was attached to an application under the Discharged Soldier Settlement Act 1917 for a Selection Purchase Conditional lease for 57 acres of farm land at Girgarre……Allotment 15 of Section D. He was granted the lease which included the condition that a 3 roomed house be erected on the allotment and that the first three years be free of payment in respect of the land, subject to the approval of the Minister of Lands.

A declaration by applicant confirms he was a 35 year old Staff Sergeant in the Supply Section at termination of his enlistment having served in Gallipoli, Egypt and France, and that for two years prior to his enlistment he was a saw sharpener in Scottsdale, Tasmania

In 1929 he was elected secretary of the Girgarre Branch of the Victorian Country Party. In 1930 he was elected delegate to the district council of the Country Party.

He was President of the Girgarre RSL in 1930.

He was president of the Girgarre Cricket Club in 1934.

Annie’s ill-health was subject of multiple applications by Sydney for rent relief for his farm. Rightfully, caring for her in her illness took priority for him over his farming commitments.

Unfortunately his wife Annie died in 1939 aged only 60 and he was left on his own. He and Annie did not have children.

He re-enlisted on 15 July 1940. His Mobilization Attestation shows his age as 50 and his date of birth as 29th June 1890. His occupation is farmer and his residence is Girgarre. He is show to be a widower. Religion is church of England. His next of kin is his sister Vera Vale who resided at 11A Landsdowne Road, East St. Kilda.

He was taken on strength to be Clerk Group III at Tatura, so did not retain the rank of Staff Sergeant from his previous service. Six months later in December 1941 he was promoted to Acting Corporal, Lance Sergeant, then in June 1943 to Acting Sergeant.

Sydney was on active service at Tatura No 1 Training camp in 1943 when he died of a heart attack.

The 17 Sept 1943 Court of Inquiry at No1 Internment Camp Tatura found that Sydney died on duty from natural causes (acute pulmonary oedema, the result of chronic myocardial insufficiency) through no neglect, misconduct or carelessness.

He is buried at Shepparton War Cemetery where his marble military headstone reads:
V85657 Sergeant
S. Vale
Army Pay Corps
12th August 1943 Age 62.

He is in Plot C Row A Grave 4. He is one of only 7 soldiers in this cemetery and possibly the only one interred there who served in both World Wars.

Military Cemetery records confirm he was attached to 17 Garrison. Battallion. Australian Army Pay Corps, ACMF. They also confirm he was the son of Lizzie Gower (nee Hill) and Francis John Vale and that his wife was Annie Mary (nee Ryder) Vale.

For his WW1 service he was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory medal. After his death, his sister Vera was posted The Africa Star with 1st and 8th Clasp, the Defence Medal, the War Medal and ASM.

Sydney’s 20 Sept 1940 will left all his real and personal property to his sister Vera Vale. Their home address was shown as 11a Landsdowne Road East St Kilda.

It is of note that a memorial was published in the press a year after his death....by his Tatura sergeants' mess.

Compiled by 2021 by Richard Thorley, a great-nephew.