S4910
BREALEY, Sidney
| Service Number: | 2600 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 August 1915, Enlisted at Perth, WA |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 4th Pioneer Battalion |
| Born: | Cherry Gardens, South Australia, Australia, 7 July 1884 |
| Home Town: | Cherry Gardens, Onkaparinga, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Blackwood, South Australia, Australia, 18 February 1972, aged 87 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Cherry Gardens Public Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Cherry Gardens WW1 Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2600, 28th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted at Perth, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2600, 28th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Nov 1915: | Embarked Private, 2600, 28th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ulysses, Fremantle | |
| 8 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 16 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 4th Pioneer Battalion, Later temporarily detached to the Machine Gunners Bigade between 17-21 July 1917 | |
| 4 Sep 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2600, 4th Pioneer Battalion, Discharged at the 5th Military District as medically fit due to Tachycardia | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Private, 2600, 4th Pioneer Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 2600, 8th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Heathfield High School
Sidney Brealey was born in Cherry Gardens, Onkaparinga, South Australia, on the 4th of July 1884. Sidney Brealey was a single male before the war and worked as a Labourer. Sidney grew up in a large family, the second son of John Back Brealey and Martha Ann Brealey and he was also the brother of his seven siblings named Edith Brealey, Helena Ann Brealey, Margaret Jane Brealey, Charles Brealey, Lucy Brealey, Rhoda Brealey, and Frank Brealey.
Sidney Brealey was 31 when he had enlisted in Perth, Western Australia, he was enlisted on the 13th of August 1915. He was described as 5 ft 11, with brown eyes, and he wore glasses. His father John was his nominated next of kin.
On the 2nd of November 1915, Sidney embarked aboard the HMAT Ulysses from Fremantle, Western Australia, heading to Egypt. This ship was part of the group carrying the 28th Infantry Battalion, which was part of the 7th Brigade of the 2nd Australian Division. When they arrived in Egypt, the battalion had started some training near the pyramids at Mena Camp. During this period, the 18th Battalion had just returned from Gallipoli and was regrouping, providing an opportunity for the new arrivals to participate and prepare for the challenges ahead.
In mid 1916, the 28th Battalion was deployed to the Western Front in France
Their first major action in France was the Battle of Pozières, they fought between the 28th of July and the 6th of August 1916. This battle was part of the larger Somme campaign and was one of the most costly engagements for the Australian Infantry Force during the war. The battalion faced intense artillery bombardments and infantry assaults, resulting in significant casualties. Sidney, as a member of the 28th Battalion, would have experienced the traumatic conditions of trench warfare during this period of time.
On the 8th of March 1916, Sidney was transferred to the 51st Infantry Battalion. This unit was part of the 13th Brigade of the 4th Australian Division and had been involved in several significant actions on the Western Front. On the 16th of March 1916, Sidney was transferred to the 4th Pioneer Battalion, a unit that combined the roles of infantry and engineers. Pioneers were tasked with constructing and repairing trenches, laying, and clearing barbed wire, and performing other engineering duties under fire. Later, between the 17th and the 21st of July 1917, Sidney was temporarily detached to the Machine Gunners Brigade as a machine gunner.
In 1917, Sidney participated in several key battles, including the Second Battle of Bullecourt, Menin Road, Broodseinde Ridge, and Poelcappelle. These engagements were part of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as Passchendaele. The conditions during these battles were particularly severe, with soldiers contending with mud filled trenches, constant artillery fire, and the ever-present threat of gas attacks. The 51st Battalion endured heavy casualties during these operations, reflecting the intense nature of the fighting.
In 1918 Sidney helped repel the German Spring Offensive and took part in the Allied counter, Offensives that led had led to the end of the war. He would have witnessed the German Spring Offensive and the final Allied push during the Hundred Days Offensive.
In early 1918, Sidney got sick he was hospitalized and was transported and evacuated to many medical stations. On the 7th of March 1918, he was transferred to the 4th Ambulatory Field Ambulance, and then taken to the 11th Casualty Clearing Station. By the 13th of March 1918, he was admitted to No. 2 Australian General Hospital. He was soon diagnosed with tachycardia, a valvular disease of the heart, this condition can be life threatening so he had to be transferred to England for further treatment.
On the 4th of September 1918, Sidney was discharged from the Australian Infantry Force as medically unfit due to his heart condition (Tachycardia) when he was at the 5th Military District. The war officially ended on the 11th of November 1918 with the signing of the Armistice. Sidney returned to Australia on the 17th of June in 1918.
After the war Sidney Brealey found love and married Dora Ricks 17th of June in 1918.. Dora Ricks was born in 1895 on the 10th of January at Methodist Church in Cherry Gardens South Australia and was the daughter of Charles Ricks and Mary Elizabeth Ricks. At their time of marriage Sidney was 35 years old and Dora was 23.
On the 18th of February 1972 Sidney Brealey died at age 87 at Blackwood. He was buried in Cherry Gardens Cemetery. Dora Ricks Brealey ( Sidney’s wife) passed on the 22nd of January 1988 at 92 years old. She was buried at the same place as her husband.