Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Theodore Siddall was born in Waverly (now known as Bondi Junction), Bondi, New South Wales, Australia, in 1896, to parents, Emily Richards and Archibald (Arthur) Siddall[i]. His father, Arthur Siddall, was born in Lancashire, Manchester, England, migrating to Australia, on 29th of September 1883. He came with his first wife, Elizabeth Ann Platt, and their sons, Charles and Albert Siddall[ii]. Arthur Siddall divorced Elizabeth Ann Platt 8 years after their arrival, due to her involvement in adultery[iii]. Arthur Siddall, who initially lived in Ryde, Sydney, moved to Waverly, Bondi, after meeting Siddall’s mother. Arthur Siddall, worked at the Bank of New South Wales, and was also a member of the Waverly Methodist Church[iv]. Arthur Siddall eventually retired in 1933[v], when W.T Siddall was in his mid-30s. Siddall had 5 siblings in total. His older sister, Evelyn, suffered a neonatal death, one year before Siddall was born. He also had a younger brother, Leonard, who suffered the same fate as his sister, three years later. Six years later, Siddall had a younger brother, Percy Vivian Siddall[vi], who were both close during their childhood.

Most of Siddall’s boyhood was spent in Waverly, Bondi. His family was accustomed to the Bondi beach culture at that time. Therefore, Siddall would enjoy activities such as fishing and swimming. Siddall most likely enjoyed popular sports at that time, including Australian Rules Football, and cricket. He was also raised under a methodist household. William Theodore Siddall attended Sydney Technical High School, Bexley, New South Wales[vii]. Although dates on his enrolment are unclear, given his attestation paper was signed when he was 21 (1917)[viii], Siddall, most likely attended from 1911 – 1914. After high school, Siddall attended Sydney Technical College to pursue vocational training for Chemistry, consisting of practical and theoretical components. Eventually he would start work at AGL as a chemist.

On 23 April 1917, Siddall enlisted for military service. He began training as a recruit at the Showground camp in Moore Park, Sydney[ix]. The camp was previously an entertainment venue, however it had to be converted into a military camp for the war effort[x].13 days after Siddall’s enlistment, he transferred to the Australian Medical Corps unit in Liverpool, Sydney[xi]. 

On the 31st of October 1917, Siddall embarked from Sydney to the United Kingdom, aboard the HMAT Euripides[xiii]. This was part of the July Reinforcements for the Australian Medical Corps in England. In early January 1918 he was hospitalised with influenza for a month.

From here, Siddall began further training until 14th of April 2018, where he was transferred to the Western Front in France, serving under the 5th Field Ambulance[xiv]. On 31st August 2018, Siddall sustained a mild gunshot wound on his right knee[xv]. After initial treatment in France he was transferred from Boulogne to England. He remained in hospital until early December and was attached to Admin Headquarters.

 Siddall was granted leave to commence non-military employment in Southampton from 19 June 1919- 19 September 1919 [xvii]. During his stay in England, he met his future wife, Hilda Betha Howling. The couple would marry on 26th of September 1919, in Fulham, England[xix].

Siddall embarked to Australia from Port Sydney, England, with his wife. arriving in Sydney 17 May 1920, where he would be discharged from the A.I.F on 16th of June 1920[xx]. From here, Siddall continued his career as a chemist. In 1985, William Theodore Siddall passed away, living a long 89 years.

Endnotes

[i] Ken Stevenson (Research on Google Drive) Siddall William Theodore, Microsoft Word Document, last modified, March 18th, 2018, 1.
[ii] Ibid., 4.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Ibid., 5.
[v] Ibid.
[vi] Ibid., 4-5.
[vii] Ibid.,1.
[viii] Anonymous, SIDDALL William Theodore: Service Number - 19274: Place of Birth - Sydney NSW: Place of Enlistment - Sydney NSW: Next of Kin - (Father) SIDDALL Archibald, Last date of modification unknown (National Archives of Australia, 1.).

[ix] Anonymous, SIDDALL William Theodore: Service Number - 19274: Place of Birth - Sydney NSW: Place of Enlistment - Sydney NSW: Next of Kin - (Father) SIDDALL Archibald, Last date of modification unknown (National Archives of Australia, 4.).

[x] Sydney Showground (2022). The Sydney Showground served as a major military camp and recruit depot during both World Wars, with over 50,000 troops passing through in WWI and nearly 700,000 in WWII.   [Accessed 6 Sep. 2025].
[xi] Anonymous, SIDDALL William Theodore: Service Number - 19274: Place of Birth - Sydney NSW: Place of Enlistment - Sydney NSW: Next of Kin - (Father) SIDDALL Archibald, Last date of modification unknown (National Archives of Australia, 4.).

[xii] Ibid.
[xiii] Ibid.
[xiv] Ibid.
[xv] Ibid.,11.
[xvi] Ibid.,5.
[xvii] Ibid.
[xviii] Ibid.
[xix] Ken Stevenson (Research on Google Drive) SIDDALL 11 marriage, .jpg image, last modified, March 18th, 2018, 1.
[xx] Anonymous, SIDDALL William Theodore: Service Number - 19274: Place of Birth - Sydney NSW: Place of Enlistment - Sydney NSW: Next of Kin - (Father) SIDDALL Archibald, Last date of modification unknown (National Archives of Australia, 5.).

[xxi] Ibid.,43.
[xxii] Ibid.
[xxiii] Virtual War Memorial (2025). William Theodore SIDDALL. [Accessed 7 Sep. 2025].
[xxiv] NSW War Memorials Register (2020). Waverley Soldiers’ War Memorial | NSW War Memorials Register.