Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Sydney James was born in Middlesex, England April 1891. He came to Australia before the First World War, met and married Ellena. I believe he worked as a laborer and my father told me his mother’s family had initial reservations about their marriage because Elena’s mother thought she could better than to marry a simple laborer. However, the marriage went ahead and they stayed together all their lives.

Sydney and Ellena originally lived in the Hurstville area and had five children. In December 1915 Sydney enlisted at Casula New South Wales. At the time of Sydney’s enlistment he was 24 year and 8 months old. He stood 5’ 4” and weighed 142 Lbs. Sydney was described as having dark brown hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion, possibly due to working outside a lot. His religion was Church of England and I believe this was significant to him because I remember that he was always a church going person throughout his life.

Embarking in April 1916, Private S.J. Wood proceeded to France with the 12th Reinforcements of the 19th Battalion A.I.F. in September 1916. Unfortunately Sydney sustained a Gun Shot Wound to the left ankle in November 1916 and was evacuated to a hospital in Weymouth, England. Sydney spent a few months in hospital before being well enough to rejoin his unit. He finally returned to Australia in January 1918. Sydney’s war service lasted only about three years but there certainly changed him forever.

After the war Sydney and Ellena lived on a farm in Connells Point near Hurstville in South Sydney. My father was born at Hurstville Hospital in May 1925 so they lived there for some years. In the late 1920’s Sydney and Ellena made the decision to sell the farm and move to Manly. They operated a fruit and vegetable shop in Sydney Road near the old Congressional Church. Initially living in a small unit above the shop until they eventually found a larger family home in Kangaroo Street, Manly. Eventually they moved to Corrie Road North Manly before the Second World War and where they lived when I knew them.

I remember that in spite of Sydney’s wartime injury, he loved gardening. As a small child I always enjoyed playing in his garden and especially climbing a particular tree. I also remember noticing how my father was so much like his father; they were both so minimalistic that after their initial greeting they sometimes seemed to have little to say to each other and just passed the time drinking a cup of tea together. My father also spent a lot of time gardening and landscaping during my childhood, perhaps using skills he had learned from his father.

Sydney walked with a walking stick and always limped favoring his right side. If you look at the photo on his profile you will see him holding his walking stick and leaning heavily to his right. I suspect he suffered a lot of physical pain from the wound to his left ankle. I also believe his memories of fighting in France troubled him the rest of his life.

Ellena was a quiet, kind and affectionate grandmother. She died in the mid 1960’s and I remember missing her a lot when I was a small child. By the late 1960’s Sydney began to suffer from dementia. The family made the decision to sell the family home and Sydney moved to the War Veteran’s Home on Collaroy Plateau. He had a small unit there and my father sometimes took me to visit. Sydney was always positive and pleasant, but by this time it seemed clear to me that he did not remember who we were.

Sydney’s health began to fail at this point and he was taken to Concord Hospital. I remember visiting him several times and seeing my father slowly lose hope for a recovery. One night while Sydney was resting in his hospital bed and muttering quietly to himself he sat up abruptly and with wide eyes said loudly “Where are my boots? I have to go!” My day asked “”Go where?” and Sydney said “It’s my turn to get the water.” My dad said “Don’t worry about that. I’ll get the water.” Sydney said “Will you Jack? Thanks Jack, you’re a good friend.” Then Sydney went back to resting.

At the time I didn’t understand that exchange because I was only about 6 years old. I wondered why the water was so important and who Jack was. I didn’t understand so I just remembered what was said hoping I might eventually know what to make of the conversation.

These days I think Sydney’s memories took him back to the trenches in France. I think Jack might have been there too. Perhaps they formed an important connection that kept them both alive through that terrible time. I like to remember Sydney as a honest, reliable and god fearing man who did his best to be a good friend, husband, father and grandfather.

Rest in peace Sydney James Wood.