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From Adelaide High School Magazine, Michaelmas, 1914, p 7-9

Lieut.-Col. Sydney F. Rowell was a student at the School for 1908-1910. He was one
of the first entrants to the Royal Military College, Duntroon, where he had a successful career.
His fourth and final year was cut short by the outbreak of the war, when he, together with
those of his year, were given commissions in the Australian Army. We believe that Lieut.
Rowell is next to youngest officer of the Permanent Staff. He comes of a family which is
well known in local military circles. His father, Col. J. Rowell, C. B.., had charge of a
contingent in the Boar War, and had a successful and highly-honoured military career. Lieut
Rowell is going as an officer in the Light Horse Regiment, which is under the command of
his cousin, Lieut.-Col. F. M. Rowell.

From Adelaide High School Magazine, Christmas 1915, p 29-30

Letter from S. F. Rowell.
"On Active Service, 15/9/15.
"Thanks are profuse for the copy of The school Magazine. It does one good to see
news from the old School again.
"Old scholars certainly have responded splendidly to the call. The Magazine was the
first notification I had that some old class mates were on the peninsula, for I see Rofe, Taylor,
etc., mentioned, and their battalion, the 27th, landed about four days ago, and are now getting
their first taste of Gallipoli.
"We are all very pleased with the way the people at home are responding to the call,
both financially, and I think, the more practical way, in offering their lives for service abroad.
One cannot value too deeply the extreme gravity of the situation, and so until peace is signed
the cry will be 'More men!' and we are more than proud that Australia has done so splendidly.
"Imperial officers state that our men are unequalled as fighters. It may sound rather
like 'blowing one's own trumpet,' but one finds now that, with most of the English troops
there is a stiffening of Australians, and I am sure no higher compliment could be paid to our
efficiency as fighting troops.
"Since I last wrote to you things have materially altered here. A new landing
increased the line by some miles, and now we have just moved from a position, which we
held for sixteen weeks, to entirely new ground. At present we are almost settled, but the
oncoming winter, of which we already had a taste, demands extra comfort. I understand that
this is a pretty cold and boisterous climate, and our first thought after consolidating our
position will be winter quarters. Roads have to be raised above the valley, which will become
running streams in a month's time, and I can safely say that for every day a man is fighting he
spends a hundred in wielding pick and shovel.
"Viney, our adjutant, is at present away sick, and I am doing his duties. The work is
interesting, and will be more of what I will have to do in after life should it be my fortune to
return home. Wickens, another Old Boy, is my right hand man as regimental sergeant-major;
his promotion from lance-corporal to this rank being a big jump. But he thoroughly deserves
it. The loss of our colonel was a big knock. He was a capable man, and would have risen; but
it is the fortune of war.
'If you ever find time to answer this, could you give me the author of the poem, an
extract from which you have in your article in the mid-winter number. 'Vitai Lampoda' I have
never forgotten since I first heard you repeat it at Sturt Street nine years ago.

Also Browning :-
"He who never turned his head, but marched breast forward;
Never dreamt but clouds would break.
Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better, sleep to wake."
"If I could only live up to that! Give my kindest regards to any members of School or
staff with whom it was my pleasure, and also honour, to work.
"Yours very sincerely,
"S. F. ROWELL."