FOGARTY, Sidney John
| Service Number: | 2625 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 August 1915, Lithgow, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Pioneer Battalion |
| Born: | Orange, New South Wales, Australia, 2 April 1896 |
| Home Town: | Bathurst, Bathurst Regional, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Patrician Brothers' School, Bathurst |
| Occupation: | Shop assistant |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Flers, France, 14 November 1916, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
Warlencourt British Cemetery Plot 2, Row C, Grave 6., |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bathurst Public School Roll of Honour, Bathurst War Memorial Carillon |
World War 1 Service
| 3 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2625, Lithgow, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2625, 18th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2625, 18th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Sydney | |
| 8 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 2nd Pioneer Battalion | |
| 14 Nov 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2625, 2nd Pioneer Battalion, 'The Winter Offensive' - Flers/Gueudecourt winter of 1916/17 |
Help us honour Sidney John Fogarty's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Karen Standen
“About 30 friends gathered at Mrs. Fogarty's, at No 10 Henry-street, on Sunday night, to tender a farewell to Private Syd Fogarty, on the eve of his departure for Liverpool, after his final leave. Private Fogarty received many useful presents, including a wristlet watch and various comforts. He was given an enthusiastic send-off. Private Fogarty has two elder brothers who went through the Boer war. His friends will wish him a similar safe return.” - National Advocate, 20 October 1915 (nla.gov.au).
“FOR THE EMPIRE
PRIVATE S. J. FOGARTY.
MAKES SUPREME SACRIFICE.
The news of the death of Private Sidney J. Fogarty, No. 2625, was conveyed by Rev. Father Norton to the deceased's mother, Mrs. A. Fogarty, of 56 Keppel-street, and late of Henry-street, yesterday morning. The cable stated that Private Fogarty, who was reported missing since November 14 [sic], was now officially reported killed on that date.
Private Fogarty was a native of Orange, and came to Bathurst with his parents when a child. He was educated at the Patrician Brothers' School, and then entered the employ of Mr. W. Gornall, Russell-street, to learn the coachbuilding trade, but for the three years prior to enlisting he was employed by Messrs. A. E. Low as a cabinetmaker. He was a studious young fellow, and was very popular. He was nineteen years of age when he sailed for the front on 2nd November, 1915, and was the youngest son of a family of eight. He went away with the 18th Battalion, and was later transferred to the 2nd Pioneers. After a short time in Egypt he was sent to the western front in France. He took part in several battles on the Somme, and it was after a battle on the 14th [sic] November of last year that he was reported wounded and missing. The news of his death yesterday was received with much regret. He was away just 12 months before the fatal engagement.
His brother-in-law, Private Fred. Carter, was one of the first to leave for the war. He was wounded at the Gallipoli landing, and was killed at Lone Pine in August 1915.” - The Bathurst Times, 17 May 1917. (nla.gov.au)
For Sidney's family, in particular his mother, Alice, this should have been closure to the past six months of worry, anxiety and false hope from letters written by soldiers, who with the best of intentions and knowledge, claimed Sid had either been, wounded and returned to England, or taken prisoner. Sadly the latter rumour continued after his official death, with several headlines claiming Sid had returned from the dead. This drawn out confirmation of a loved one's death was not unusual. Sidney's sister experienced the same protracted distress and uncertainty when her husband was killed at Lone Pine.
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