Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Sergeant-Major Sidney Rupert Green, son of Mr C. L. Green, of Echuca, and a nephew of Brigadier-General McNicoll, was killed in action on the 31st of October, 1916. He was formerly a teacher at the Maldon School.

He was born at St. Kilda on the 14th of May, 1897. He attended the Castlemaine High School in 1913-14, passed his Junior Public examination in 1914, and became a junior teacher on probation at Maldon.

The following letter was received by his parents from Sergeant Mackay, a comrade in France:

"In the Field. France, 10.11.16. - My Dear Mr. and Mrs. Green, - It is indeed with deep regret that I write you these few lines in deference to the wish of your late son and my comrade. Rupert and I were closely associated for the better part of this year, meeting in the Abbey Wood Camp last February or March, and travelling a good part of the world since, hardly separated for a day. You have the consolation of knowing that Rupert played the game, and was always ready and willing to perform any task assigned to him. Officers, N.C.O's. and men respected him alike. He won the confidence of all by his cheery nature a rare attribute in these times of stress.

On the morning of Tuesday, 31st October, Rupert was issuing rations, when a few shells were thrown over close by us. All who were about at the time sought shelter in the trench until such time as all was again quiet. At approximately 7 a.m., Rupert was instantaneously killed by a piece of shrapnel shell, which burst close to the trench we were in. Rupert was in a small dugout in Cocoa Valley by himself at the time, just about three yards from Pioneer Trench, in which the majority of us were sheltering. It was a mercifully quick death, and poor old Rupert never knew what struck him. His wound was through the back of the helmet of steel, lodging in the head a few inches behind the left ear. He was not disfigured in any way, and died with a peaceful smile upon his face.

He was laid to rest the same day alongside six others who had made the supreme sacrifice five belonging to the South Wales Borderers and one to the King's Own Scottish Borderers. The following day two more of our lads belonging to A Company were laid to rest in the small cemetery. As witness to the love and respect for your son, no fewer than three crosses were placed upon his grave one made by his fellow-sergeants, one by the platoon men, and one by the Pioneers Battalion. The crosses bear the following inscription: "In loving memory of 2132, Sgt. S. R. Green, B. Coy., 5th Bn., A.I.F. Killed in action 31.10.16." To enable you to get a photo of the grave will give you its location as near as I possibly can. [Here follows the description.] By giving those particulars, the grave will be easily located by the authorities, who will have a photo taken and forwarded to you. It is indeed a regret to me to have to write you all these details, but it was Rupert's desire that I should do so.

You have lost your beloved son, and we a beloved comrade. May you have consolation in the fact that he did his duty to the last, and died for his King and country, a man to be proud of and a privilege to know. His officers, fellow-sergeants, corporals, and men join with me in offering you all our deepest sympathy in your irreparable loss. Believe me to be yours in sympathy, Sgt. H. G. Mackay, 720, B Coy." The letter is signed by the following persons :-H. J. Hall, C.S.-Major; Dawson, Sgt. No. 5 Platoon; H. G. Mackay, Sgt. No. 6 Platoon: H. G.Schrader, L.-Sgt. No. 7 Platoon: H. Bamber, Sgt. No. 8 Platoon.

Source: The Education Department's Record of War Service, Victoria, 1914-1919.