Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Sydney William Rogers, also known as Syd, was born on the 19th of January 1894 in Adelaide, South Australia. His grandfather settled in Crafers in 1839 just three years after the state was founded. His father was a blacksmith but in 1900 he moved to the Adelaide Hills and opened a butcher shop for his three sons to work in. In 1910 his father closed the shop and Syd had dropped out of school at the age of 12 to work with his uncle. He then joined Howard and Woodgare a blacksmith company in Crafers. He worked there until 1915 before he went to the war. Prior to enlisting Syd was a senior Cadet to F Company 74th Battalion and later transferred to Citizen Force 74th Battalion. 

On the 9th August 1915 Syd had his medical examination, which he passed. At the time of his medical examination his description was Age: 21 years and 7 months, Weight: 136 lbs. (61.7 Kg), Features: Fair skin complexion, fair hair and blue eyes, Religion: Methodist, and Height: 5ft 3.5 in (161.3 cm). On the day of this examination, he noted that he was unmarried and listed his grandmother, Mary Rodgers on the attestation paper.

On the 23rd August 1915 he signed the oath and enlisted into the AIF. Between the time of the medical examination and enlisting Syd married Esther May (Rogers).

On the 11th of January 1916 Syd left Adelaide on the ship His Majesty’s Australian Transport (HMAT) Borda A30. The HMAT Borda A30 travelled to Egypt via Perth and arrived in Port Suez on 9 February 2016. From there Syd and his battalion were transported to the AIF training camp at Zeitoun, near Cairo in Egypt. 

During this time the AIF reorganised their battalions and the 16th Infantry Battalion that Syd arrived with were disbanded and the men were added to a newly formed 48th Battalion which was part of the 12th Brigade of the 4th Division of the AIF. The 48th Battalion comprised the fresh recruits from South Australia and Western Australia plus experienced soldiers who had fought at Gallipoli in 1915, with approximately 1000 men in total. 

Syd was appointed to the temporary role of Driver on 27th of April 1916 whilst the battalion was undertaking training in Egypt. Training in the desert of Egypt continued until the Battalion was moved to Alexandrina in June of 1916, where they boarded a ship in early June and disembarked in Marseilles, France, on the 10th of June 1916.        

The first major battle 48th Battalion was involved in was the battle of Pozières in August of 1916. The Battalion relieved the 27th Battalion located at the Windmill ruins discovering that there was no one left alive on the forward positions. They then held out against Germany, facing attacks and ferocious shelling. Then they were forced over to Mouquet Farm and relived by Canadian troops. Approximately two-thirds of the 48th Division were either wounded or killed during these battles.                 

The second major battle the 48th Battalion took part in was the First Bullecourt at the Western Front which was lined with German troops. The first attack was on the 11th of April 1917. Troops from the 4th and 12th Brigade which included the 48th Battalion managed to slip into the German line, but they were then attacked from three angles. There was more than 3,330 Australians who were killed or wounded, and 1,170 Australians captured during the battle of Bullecourt.

Other battles the 48th battalion was involved over the next couple of years was the battle of Messines 7th to 14th of June 1917, Polygon Wood 26th September to 3rd October 1917, First Passchendaele July 31st to November 6th 1917, Dernancourt/Ancre 18th March to 5th April 1918, Ameins 8th and 11th August 1918. Syd was one of the few from his battalion who was not wounded (physically) during the war. 

It is assumed that Syd was involved in all battles that the 48th Battalion face because dates of his leave found in his service record do not seem to correspond to the dates that the 48th Battalion was involved in direct combat. He was fortunate enough not to have any periods of time in hosptial

Syd was promoted to Corporal in December 1916. It was recommended that he be mentioned in despatches but this was not awarded (reason unknown)

Syd returned to Adelaide in 1919. He had two daughters Kathleen Dorothy Rogers born on the 5th of August 1920 and Barbra Patricia born in 1922.

After the war he returned to the blacksmith shop in Crafers until he decided to give it up in 1925. Syd realised the changing community in transport (horse drawn vehicles to cars and trucks) and decided to join the Stirling Council as a truck driver. He was a truck driver for 25 years and drove for more than 300,000 km. He then took charge of the Stirling ETSA (Electricity Trust of South Australia) depot for 2 years before retiring.

Then he applied to being a ward councillor. He had two opponents but ended up winning by two votes. At his very first council meeting he was elected chairman. He held this position for 8 years, 1962 to 1970. At first, he was councillor for the Crafers Ward and then moved to the Stirling Ward.

This was one of the many clubs and organisations he joined and things that he did for the community. He was a secretary for the Stirling football club, Stirling Institute Secretary-Treasurer for 50 years, Stirling Hospital secretary for 10 years, Stirling District Cemetery Trust Secretary for 25 years, member of Stirling Masonic Lodge since 1921 and secretary for 15 years, life member of the Stirling RSL and EFS (now called CFS), was associated with the Red Cross and bowling and tennis clubs.

In 1965 he received an MBE for services to the district. (This means the letters MBE could be written after the person's name after their award on any letters, documentation etc i.e., he would have been known as ‘Syd William Rogers MBE’ from 12/6/1965).

Syd and his wife Esther May also celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary for being married for 60 years. People sent telegrams including the Queen, Governor- General Prime Minister, Premier and leader of the opposition.

Syd passed away on the 7th of August 1984 at the age of 90. He is buried in the Stirling cemetery with his wife who died on the 29th of March 1976 at the age of 84, and his daughters. Kathleen Dorothy who died on the 4th of July 2006 at the age of 85 and Barbara Patricia who died on the 1st of December 1987 aged 65. Barbara ended up getting married to Jack Ronald Scragg and they had three children.

References: 

Adelaide Hills Council, April, 2016, The Honour Boards of the Adelaide Hills Council (https://www.ahc.sa.gov.au/assets/downloads/discover/1604-Honour-Boards-of-AHC_web.pdf) 

Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet – Australian Honours Search Facility (https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1088997) 

Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs – ANZAC Portal (https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/)  

Australian War Memorial (https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51488)  

Genealogy SA (https://www.genealogysa.org.au/) 

Government of South Australia 

National Archives Australia (https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/) 

State Library of South Australia (https://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/c.php?g=410371&p=2794665)  

State Records of South Australia (https://www.archives.sa.gov.au/) and (https://www.flickr.com/photos/state-recordssa/albums/72157626501163158)  

Stirling CFS (https://www.stirlingcfs.org.au/history/)   

Trove (https://trove.nla.gov.au/)  (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/270582950/30672946#; https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/270577948?searchTerm=Syd%20Rogers%20Stirling; https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/270583128?searchTerm=Syd%20Rogers%20Stirling)

Virtual War Memorial Australia (https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/145345)   

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/48th_Battalion_(Australia))