Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Cyril Sandoe was the son of Charles Sandoe, a schoolmaster at Snaith, Yorkshire, England. Cyril was one of the 172 young men who had emigrated from the United Kingdom as part of South Australia’s British Farm Apprentices 1913 – 1914 scheme. His host farmers were E. J. Robinson and M.P. & A. J. Fuller.

Cyril was born at Snaith, Yorkshire, England. A motor driver at Mundoora, he attempted to enlist at Oaklands on 25 November 1914 but was rejected because of his height. He was only 5ft 2½ inches tall. Physical requirements were later relaxed and 22 year old Cyril enlisted in Adelaide on 2 February 1916.

Cyril was appointed to Field Engineers and embarked from Outer Harbour aboard HMAT A29 “Suevic” on 31 May 1916 and disembarked at Devonport on 21 July. He proceeded overseas to France on 25 November 1916.

It was on the 21 April 1918 at Morlancourt Ridge when Cyril witnessed the shooting down of Manfred von Richthofen “The Red Baron” by an Australian Battery. Cyril was the first person to reach the Baron’s plane. He souvenired a piece of the wing and sent it to his father in England. Many Australian newspapers published the story.

“Sapper Cyril Sandoe, of the Australian Engineers, has sent his father in England a portion of the wing of Richthofen’s plane which the sapper says was shot down by an Australian battery. He was the first to reach the fallen aeroplane.”

3 weeks later Cyril was suffering “trench fever” and was evacuated from his unit and invalided to England. Only 5 days before the armistice he returned to France. In January 1919 Cyril was transferred and taken on strength of 3 Division Engineers Headquarters.

Cyril found future employment with Sir Henry Dalziel, a British newspaper proprietor and Liberal politician and on this basis applied for demobilisation and discharge in London. His request was granted and Cyril was discharged in London on 29 August 1919.