EDWARDS, Sydney Noble
| Service Numbers: | 5371, SN 5371 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 February 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 4th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Balmain, NSW, Australia, 16 August 1890 |
| Home Town: | Balmain, Leichhardt, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | "Pidgeon Ground" Public School, Balmain - now Gladstone Park Primary - Plus Kangaroo Valley Public School. |
| Occupation: | Theatre Manager |
| Died: | Goulburn, NSW, Australia, 8 January 1970, aged 79 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Goulburn General Cemetery, New South wales |
| Memorials: | Mount Bryan Roll of Honor WW1 |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Feb 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Apr 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 5371, 4th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 14 Apr 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 5371, 4th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney | |
| 19 Jun 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, SN 5371 |
He Served with Distinction.
Sid signed up for Service on 8th February, 1916 - 12 months after his older brother Harry. He was initially sent to Egypt, then France and finally to the Western Front. Here he was severely gassed and wounded - from which he never fully recovered.
His records indicate that he served with distinction, and was in a Guard of Honour at the address given by the Bishop of Amiens in memory of the Australian dead on 4th November, 1918 at the Church of "long Somme".
He was also selected to represent his unit in the Victory March in London after the Armistice. Twice he was recommended for the DCM, but was always very outspoken about his hatred of War decorations.
Upon his return he married his old sweetheart, Daisy Chittick in 1920. They settled in Goulburn (where they had one daughter).
Uncle Sid worked for County Theatres (now Hoyts) and eventually became their Manager for over 20 years.
But his war disabilities finally led to an early retirement amongst the flowers in his much loved garden.
He was a foundation member of many of Goulburn’s social clubs, not the least being the RSL, Bowling and Horticultural Clubs.
I remember a massive "Jack's" bean stalk growing up into the sky in his garden, and espaliered fruit trees along the fence, where you could pick an orange from a mandarin tree, and an apple from a pear tree. It was the first time I had ever seen such wonders.
He was my Grandmother's brother and much loved by all the family.
(Story as researched and also told to me by his family). Patricia Braden.(2019)
Submitted 8 September 2019 by Patricia Braden
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