76975
WALLACE, Sydney George
Service Number: | 2825 |
---|---|
Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
Last Rank: | Private |
Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
Born: | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, date not yet discovered |
Home Town: | Kilkenny, Charles Sturt, South Australia |
Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
Occupation: | Labourer |
Memorials: | Goodwood Public School WW1 Roll of Honor |
Biography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Sydney George Wallace was born on April 24, 1894, in Adelaide, South Australia. The child of David and Sarah Wallace, he grew up surrounded by a large family of seven siblings Ivy, Clarance, Isabel, Flora, Hugh, David, and Fredrick. By the time he reached adulthood, Sydney was employed as a labourer at Barlow & Sons in Gawler, a job that would somewhat prepare him for the high demands of military service.
On August 2nd, 1915, at 21 years and 7 months old, Sydney enlisted in the AIF for WWI. Sydney passed the necessary medical examinations, showing no signs of any illnesses that might eliminate him from service.
Wallace’s military experience started when he was first assigned to the 27th Battalion; however, during his time in service, he was moved around when different duties called. On February 27 1916 he was transferred to the 10th Battalion which led to his involvement in some of the most intense battles of the war. Wallace went through a series of deployments that sent him to war zones such, as France and Belgium.
During his time in service, Wallace encountered several challenges that went beyond the battlefield. Like many other soldiers, he struggled with the harsh discipline imposed by military life. On several occasions, he was charged with being absent without leave (AWL) as well as a serious of insolent language charges by superior officers. His first recorded AWL incident occurred on November 15, 1916, when he was absent for several hours and was punished with a 15-day reduction in pay. This pattern continued throughout his service, with further AWL offenses being recorded across all his years of serving in the military.
Wallace also experienced significant physical challenges. On August 11, 1916, he was taken to the hospital for a gunshot wound to his right hand. This required medical attention, so Wallace was granted furlough on September 20, 1916, to recover. However, this was not the end of his health issues by any means. Throughout his service, Sydney was frequently admitted to hospitals for various illnesses, including a period of hospitalisation in 1917 following another injury suffered in action in France. On November 5, 1917, he was gassed and hospitalised in France. He rejoined his unit on December 19, 1917, continuing his military duties.
His repeated absences without leave, his use of insolent language and his overall challenges with authority suggest that, like many soldiers, he may have struggled with the emotional and psychological pressures of warfare. World War I was an extremely intense situation, notorious for the intense stress it placed on its soldiers, and Sydney's behaviour may have been a response to this overwhelming environment.
On October 24, 1918, while still on active duty, he married Hilda Blackmore in Sutton, England. This marriage, coming near the end of the war, marked a significant moment in his life. The war officially ended just a month later, and Sydney began preparing for his return. On July 26, 1919, he was encouraged to return to Australia. By October 13th of that year, he was formally released from the AIF because his health was no longer fit for duty.
After the war he raised two boys, Donald and Keith, with his wife Hilda. Still thinking about his time in the military, he sought additional recognition through an application for the Gallipoli Badge in 1967. Unfortunately, Sydney passed away on September 12, 1990.
Bibliography
“Australian Soldiers, Memorials and Military History.” Vwma.org.au, 2024, vwma.org.au/explore/projects/147465/edit?t=1724111223434. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.
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“Shot at Dawn: Men and Boys “Absent without Leave” during World War 1 | Blog.” Findmypast - Genealogy, Ancestry, History Blog from Findmypast, www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/discoveries/shot-at-dawn-the-cruel-fate-of-men-and-boys-absent-without-leave-durin.
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ACT, Russell,. “Department of Defence.” Defence.gov.au, 2022, www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/honours-awards/medals/imperial-awards/world-war-one/anzac-commemorative-medallion.