STANBURY, Sidney
| Other Name: | Schwonberg, Dugald Stuart (Dugie) |
|---|---|
| Service Number: | 2982A |
| Enlisted: | 19 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 31st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Maclean, New South Wales, Australia, 10 March 1884 |
| Home Town: | Maclean, Clarence Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Maclean Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 15 March 1917, aged 33 years |
| Cemetery: |
Beaulencourt British Cemetery, Ligny-Thilloy |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Beaudesert War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2982A, 31st Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 2982A, 31st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 14 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 2982A, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Greg Towner
Sidney Stanbury was born Dugald Stuart Schwonberg to Francis Henry and Ellen Schwonberg of Maclean. His grandfather Joachim Schwonberg was a pioneer settler and shipbuilder at Maclean, then known as Rocky Mouth, from 1866. Dugald's father Frank continued as a shipbuilder in Maclean and the Schwonberg children had an idyllic life growing up on the banks of the Clarence River at Maclean. Dugald was known as 'Dugie'.
Dugie came to attention at Maclean when appearing on stage in amateur plays, and also for his part with younger brother Claude in rescuing passengers on a vessel that had become wedged on rocks in the river.
Dugie moved to Queensland and was employed as a labourer in a timber mill at Glenapp south of Beaudesert. That was undoubtedly thirsty work and Dugie met a barmaid in Beaudesert, Rose Louisa Jensen, who became pregnant. This would not have met with the approval of Dugies strict church-going parents, and the subsequent conflict is believed to be the reason Dugie changed his name to Sidney Stanbury. Sidney and Rose married and they had four children, one girl and three boys.
Despite having a large family, perhaps needing a larger income for its support and following his younger brother Claude's example, Dugie enlisted in the AIF.
Sidney Stanbury - Dugie - met Claude on two occasions on the Western Front in France. He was then sent on a patrol along Tongue Trench towards Till Trench as his battalion prepared to assault Bapaume during the German withdrawal to the Hindenberg Line in March 1917. He was killed by an artillery shell in Till Trench on 15 March 1917 five days after his birthday.
A good man, remembered by many as Dugie Schwonberg and as Sidney Stanbury. Sadly missed by his Schwonberg siblings and parents, and by his wife Rose and children Cleave, Maud, Norman and Claude Stanbury. Remembered today by Schwonberg, Stanbury, Towner, Hayward and Messenger family descendants.
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