Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Sydney Harold Stubbs was one of thousands of young Australians who stepped forward in the final year of the First World War to reinforce the men already serving on the battlefields of Europe. Though his name is less widely known today, his service reflects the quiet courage and duty shown by many South Australians of his generation. (AWM, 2026)

According to the official records of the Australian War Memorial, Stubbs enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force during 1918 and was allocated the service number 56143. He embarked from Melbourne as part of the 1 to 6 South Australian Reinforcements, sailing aboard HMAT Marathon A74. His embarkation roll records him as a Private, later serving as a Gunner with the 10th Field Artillery Brigade. (National Archives, 2026)

By 1918, the war on the Western Front had entered its most intense and decisive phase. Australian artillery units were critical to the Allied advance, providing barrages, counter-battery fire, and support to infantry attacks. The 10th Field Artillery Brigade had already earned a formidable reputation through years of hard fighting in France and Belgium, supporting Australian divisions in battles such as Messines, Passchendaele, Villers-Bretonneux and the Hundred Days Offensive. Men arriving as reinforcements joined units that had endured enormous sacrifice and were determined to see the war through. (AWM, 2026)

As a Gunner, Sydney Harold Stubbs would have entered a world of discipline, technical skill and endurance. Artillery crews handled heavy guns under dangerous conditions, often operating in mud, cold and enemy shellfire. Their work demanded precision and teamwork yet rarely drew public attention. They were indispensable to victory. (National Archives, 2026)

Unlike so many who never came home, Sydney Harold Stubbs survived the war.

The Australian War Memorial records his fate simply as Returned to Australia — a short phrase that carries enormous meaning. It meant survival, reunion with family, and the opportunity to rebuild a life after global conflict.

Though further personal details about his civilian life remain to be uncovered, his service deserves remembrance. Men like Stubbs were ordinary citizens who accepted extraordinary responsibilities in a time of world crisis. They stood ready when their nation called, and in doing so became part of Australia’s enduring wartime story.

Today, we honour Sydney Harold Stubbs for his willingness to serve, his contribution to the artillery arm of the AIF, and his place among the South Australians who helped secure peace through sacrifice and duty.

Lest we forget