Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Sydney was the youngest son born into Charles John William and Ann Jane Bertram’s large family on the 14th September 1916. His siblings included two oldest, born in Victoria and the remaining born in different suburbs of Adelaide. They included Kenneth, Dawn, Jean, Audrey, Ann June, Maxwell and Llewellyn.
Sydney had just turned 17 when his 69-year-old father died on the 23rd September 1933 at Norwood and was buried in the Payneham Cemetery. By that time Sydney was employed as a salesman until the outbreak of WWII when he and his 36-year-old brother, Ken both decided to enlist together in June ‘40. (Sydney was 23 years old at the time). They were given consecutive numbers, Ken as SX6986 and Sydney SX6987 with both being placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Both had pre-embarkation leave which was unofficially extended, Sydney’s by two days. His fine of 10/- and being confined to barracks for four days was less that Ken’s, but frustrating. Within days, the brothers were aboard the Stratheden on the 7th November and sailing to the Middle East, arriving on the 17th December.
Ill health plagued his time in the desert conditions, with an inner ear infection (Otis Media) causing several stays of hospitalisation. Ken also continued to be affected by the same infection.
At the end of January ’42 Sydney received a further fine of 10/- and being confined to barracks for a lengthy eight days for his behaviour. This coincided with Ken being officially on a ‘Seriously Ill’ list, but by the end of the month had fortunately recovered sufficiently to be removed.
It is possible that Sidney served with ‘Diver’ Derrick who kept a quite detailed diary of the war from his perspective. (Edited by Mark Johnston, called Derrick VC In His Own Words.) On the 3rd October ’42, Derrick wrote of taking a patrol out at 1930 ‘til 0300 with Cpl Trish, Ptes Bertram, Edwards, Pearce, Ball and Starkey. They had with them 4 machine guns, a Bren, 2 rifles and 36 grenades. It is more likely that this was Sydney than his brother, Kenneth.
Finally at the commencement of February ’43 Sydney’s battalion were able to head back to Australia via Melbourne for well-earned leave. By this time, Ken had already returned because of his ongoing health issues. And was officially discharged on the 9th February ’43. Training in Queensland followed for Sydney to prepare him and the battalion for the very different, tropical jungle conditions of New Guinea. Sydney arrived at Milne Bay early in August ’43 and soon undertook the role of being a batman. At the time, his 69-year-old mother, Ann died on 4th September 1943.
Over the ensuing months Sydney contracted a range of illnesses, including dengue fever, bronchitis and malaria on several occasions until his return to Brisbane in February ’44. With continued ill health, Sydney was hospitalised for an extended time, being classified as medically unfit for many duties that required a level of fitness. Malaria and an upper respiratory tract infection developed. He was finally discharged on the 17th August ’44. (Maxwell was not discharged until February 4th ’47.)
The following year, Sidney announced his engagement to Thelma Tardrew of Renmark. They married in Pirie Street Methodist Church on 26th October ‘46. Then in August ’47 the young couple welcomed their first son, Lionel John.
Sydney lived to be 66 and died on the 15th of June ’83. He is remembered in the Centennial Park Cemetery, Derrick Gardens, Path 28 Plot 912. Both brothers, Ken and Maxwell are also interred in Centennial Park.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.