GARTON, Sydney John James
| Service Number: | 2553 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 February 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 14th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Derby, Tas., November 1869 |
| Home Town: | Brunswick, Moreland, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Cabinet Maker |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Feb 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2553 | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 1915: | Involvement Private, 2553, 14th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: SS Makarini embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 15 Sep 1915: | Embarked Private, 2553, 14th Infantry Battalion, SS Makarini, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Distinguished Conduct Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry during operations. Though he had been buried by a shell, he led out his party, and dug a communication trench under heavy fire in "No Man's Land." Two days later he dug out two of his comrades, though himself suffering from shock.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62
Date: 19 April 1917
"SIMPLY DID DUTY"
HERO'S PLAIN TALE
Humor tinged with pride marks the disclosure to his mother vy Sergeant S. J. J. Garton, No. 2553, A. Company, 14th Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade, of the fact that he has won the Disunguished conduct Medal. Thus breezily he announces the event: —
"I have wonderful news to tell you. I am a hero. Fair dinkum! I have been awarded the D.C.M. It came out in orders on Friday (October 6) when we were in the trenches. I have not got it yet, but the colonel gave me the ribbon for a bar. Later on I will be presented with about a foot of it, so I will have enough of it for all time. It is rather pretty, about an inch wide, maroon with a blue stripe in the centre — Fitzroy's colors. They were premiers, I believe. At the time of writing the 14th has one Victoria Cross (Lieutenant A. Jacka), three Distinguished Service Orders, and I am the third D.C.M. — it's not too com mon, I can tell you. "Well, I suppose you will be very anxious to know what great deed I performed to got this honor. As a matter of fact, I really did nothing— I simply kept my head, and I did my duty when the shells were flying about us. They were pretty thick, I admit. I really cannot get hold of this thought of the D.C.M. — to think that I, Sydney John James Garton, should win that
medal. Well, It beats me entirely, but wonders will never cease. I have been granted leave to visit a big town near here, but I felt that It was a good opportunity to write to you, and I may get a few more letters away.'
Serjeant Garton was ordered to take 20 men out In the open under heavy shellfire to a trench ahead. The Germans were entrenched only a short distance before them, but they braved the fire. Some of his men fell, but he came through unscathed.
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