Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

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Biography written by Rachel Duncan from Jamestown Community College, attached as a document. Winning entry for 2024 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize.

2024 Anzac Spirit School Prize winning entry by Rachel Duncan from Jamestown Community College (also attached as a document).

Sydney James Harris Parker was born on 28 January 1891, to parents Harry Parker and Rose Ann Parker.[1] At the time of Sydney’s birth, his parents already had three daughters, Rose, Olive, and Myrtle. Rose and Harry had another three children, Harry, Alex, and Lulu.[2]

Sydney’s father owned a small blacksmith shop near the center of Yongala, located in the Mid North of South Australia, on the corner of first Sydney often helped his dad in running the shop,[3] and when Sydney and his brother Harry left for war, his dad had no choice but to close the shop.[4] Before enlisting, Sydney also ran his own business as a shoe smith.

Sydney enlisted in the 3rd Field Company Engineers on 16 August 1915, along with brother Harry Gordon Parker, in Adelaide, South Australia.[5] Later on, Sydney was transferred to the 13th Field Company Engineers on 6 March 1916.

Sydney embarked for the first time on 20 January 1916, beginning as a driver in the 3rd Field Company Engineers, and was promoted to Farrier Sergeant in the 13th Field Company Engineers on 30 January 1916. Sydney landed in Alexandria, on February 27. During World War 1,

Alexandria was used a training ground for the Australian and New Zealand troops, and an overload place. Many ships were ordered to dock there, as this was considered a superior place to train.[6]

After disembarking in Alexandria, Sydney stayed there training until 18 March, when his battalion travelled to Tell el Kebir,[7] which is 110 km north-north-east of the capital city of Egypt, Cairo. During World War 1, Tell el Kebir was used popularly as a training camp, but also as a No. 2 Australian stationary hospital, and it encompassed a large prisoner of war camp.[8]

On 27 March, Sydney and his unit commenced construction of rafts on the Sweet Water Canal. Three days later, on the 30th of March, the rafts were completed, and the 13th Field Company Engineers set off in groups, one leading, one bringing up the rear, and the third group on pre-constructed rafts. They reached Al Mahasama, near the Suez Canal, at staggered times throughout that day. The next day, Sydney travelled to Moisca, a town farther along the Suez, and arrived at Serapeum, a necropolis in Lower Egypt, just after midday. [9]

Sydney and his company moved off from Moisca on 2 April and arrived in Serapeum about eight hours later.

While at Serapeum, Sydney aided the construction of many structures, such as a bridge head front, multiple trenches, which had to be re-dug due to destructive sandstorms, defenses on the Suez Canal, pontoons, and roads. They also dealt with several kinds of demolitions, such as the making of emergency bombs. [10]

Sydney and the 13th Field Company Engineers stayed in Serapeum partaking in a variety of activities until June 5, when they set off to Alexandria. Sydney arrived in Alexandria on 6 June and embarked on the HMT Oriana. While sailing, he undertook physical training and lectures, along with his company.

HMT Oriana arrived in Marseilles, a city in France’s southeast, on 12 June 1916, and the ship remained docked all day. In Marseilles, Sydney and his unit joined with the B.E.F (British Expeditionary Forces) on June 13. The next day, Sydney disembarked, and, on 16 June, Sydney marched to Ballieul, in northern France. Their march lasted for the following three days, until the 13th Field Company Engineers reached Bac. St Maur on 19 June. At Bac. St Maur, they were taken to undergo “gas” at a bombing school. [11]

During the next month, Sydney worked on the manufacturing of things such as corresponding lines, repairing parapets on the firing lines, building dugouts, mining sallyports, and laying duckboards.[12]

Over the course of July, Sydney and his company travelled around France a considerable amount. Places they marched to were Sailly on July 7, Strazeele on July 12, Balllieul Station on July 13, Pernois on July 14, and finally, Albert on July 22. In most locations, Sydney was billeted (assigned to an accommodation not normally used by soldiers)[13].

While in Albert, Sydney worked mostly on communication lines and trenches.

After spending the rest of the month in Albert, Sydney and his company set off to Pozieres on 1August and arrived that night. While in Pozieres, Sydney occasionally came under some heavy fire, therefore, not able to continue work for short periods. He worked on many structures including rifle bays , communication trenches, and wells.[14]

Sydney stayed until 15 August when his company marched to La Boiselle, on their way to Halloy-les-Pernois, where they constructed trenches and continued work on pre-existing trenches. On 30 August 1916, he marched to Becourt Wood, where even more trenches were being worked on, as well as machine gun positions.[15]

Sydney continued to travel to various locations around France and surrounds with his company over the next several months. These places include Amplier, Steenewoorde, Duderdom,[16] Godewaersvelde, Famechon,[17] Fremont, Mametz, Longueval,[18] Fricourt,[19] and Bresle.[20]

On January 20, 1917, Sydney was admitted to a Casualty Reception Station with Influenza and rejoined his unit in the field on 24 January.[21] Back with his unit in Longueval, France, Sydney worked on tactical wiring on an Intermediate Defence Line and on Corps Defences. He also worked on the construction of many duckboards.[22]

Some months later, in July, Sydney was appointed Shoeing Smith, in which he aided the farriers in keeping horses shoed and healthy.[23] On 2 February the following year, Sydney was promoted to temporary Farrier Sergeant, and three months later, he was promoted permanent Farrier Sergeant.[24]

On 11 August 1918, Sydney went on leave to the United Kingdom, and returned to his unit on August 29. On the same day, he was admitted to the 13th AFA hospital, believed to have gonorrhea, and then transferred to a Casualty Clearing Station. The following month, on September 2, Sydney was moved to the 39th General Hospital. In October 1918, Sydney was discharged back to duty, having spent a total of 44 days in hospital, and rejoined the 13th Field Company Engineers again on September 16, five days after discharge.[25]

Having recovered from the cumbersome time in hospital, Sydney worked with his company in Saiseval, located in Northern France, on the erection of an Adrian Hut, and multiple other buildings.[26]

After spending four months working, on 23 February, Sydney went on leave to Brussels and returned on March 3.[27]

Sydney’s last destination before being discharged was Villers Potteries, where his company worked on the construction of a railroad and other structures.[28]

Sydney disembarked from South Hampton on April 9, 1919, per the SS Borde and was officially discharged on August 16 1919, with a 4th M.D (4th Military District) TPE (termination of period of enlistment/employment).[29]

After being discharged, it is believed that Sydney resided in Alberton, South Australia until his death. Sydney married once to Elizabeth Frances Clark, on the 3 March 1923, at Semaphore Methodist Church. They had two sons, Owen, and John, though it is unknown when.[30]

At the end of his time of service, Sydney received the Victory Medal, and the British War Medal.[31]

Throughout the duration of his service, perseverance was an admirable trait possessed by Sydney Parker. A way he displayed this trait was through his prolonged and frequent visits to hospitals. Sydney often found himself unpleasantly battling health conditions, leaving him in undesirable circumstances, yet his ability to overcome this physical adversity displayed his integral perseverance.

Another characteristic demonstrated by Sydney is ingenuity. Being in a company of Field Engineers meant he was often inventing, manufacturing, and improving structures and equipment to enhance the day-to-day lives of soldiers serving in the trenches and on the battlefield. This valuable trait ameliorated both the austere experiences of men overseas, and Sydney himself, by lessening the harsh conditions of war.

Both of these are commendable attributes displayed by Sydney James Harris Parker.

Reference List

Australian War Memorial. (2024). AWM4 Subclass 14/32 - 13th Field Company, Australian Engineers. Awm.gov.au. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1338961

Department of Veterans' Affairs. (2021a, January 4). Training Australian army recruits during World War I | Anzac Portal. Anzacportal.dva.gov.au. https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/ww1/military-organisation/training

Family Search. (2024). Sydney James Harris Parker. Familysearch.org. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q291-XVMV

McCardle, P. (2006, July 30). SS Borde. Ships Nostalgia. https://www.shipsnostalgia.com/media/ss-borde.34701/

Parker, D., & Pamela Joan Parker. (2001). Fading Footprints. Parker, Dennis and Pamela.

Tell El Kebir. (2023, March 7). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell_El_Kebir

Terrace, V. (2024). View digital copy. Naa.gov.au. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8007242&S=4&R=0

Trove, & National Library of Australia. (2024). Trove. Nla.gov.au; Trove. https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/208566487?keyword=Parker%20Family%20Portrait

UNSW Canberra ADF Academy. (2024). Details. Aif.adfa.edu.au. https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=233682

Ward, G. (1974). The Yongala Story.

[1] http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8007242
[2] https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q291-XVMV
[3] Fading Footprints, Parker, D and P
[4] The Yongala Story, Gladys Ward
[5]https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Gallery151/dist/JGalleryViewer.aspx?B=8007242&S=4&N=18&R=0#/SearchNRetrieve/NAAMedia/ShowImage.aspx?B=8007242&T=P&S=3
[6] https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/ww1/military-organisation/training
[7] https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8007242&S=11&R=0
[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell_El_Kebir
[9] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1009849/bundled/RCDIG1009849.pdf
[10] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1009860/bundled/RCDIG1009860.pdf
[11] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm- media/collection/RCDIG1009867/bundled/RCDIG1009867.pdf

 
[12] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1016913/bundled/RCDIG1016913.pdf
[13]https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/billeting
[14] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1009868/bundled/RCDIG1009868.pdf
[15] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1009868/bundled/RCDIG1009868.pdf
[16] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1009869/bundled/RCDIG1009869.pdf
[17] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1009870/bundled/RCDIG1009870.pdf
[18] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1016914/bundled/RCDIG1016914.pdf
[19] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1011763/bundled/RCDIG1011763.pdf
[20] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1350342
[21] https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8007242
[22] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1009841/bundled/RCDIG1009841.pdf
[23] https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8007242
[24] https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8007242
[25] https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8007242
[26] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1009862/bundled/RCDIG1009862.pdf
[27] https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8007242
[28] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1009866/bundled/RCDIG1009866.pdf
[29]https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Gallery151/dist/JGalleryViewer.aspx?B=8007242&S=14&N=18&R=0#/SearchNRetrieve/NAAMedia/ShowImage.aspx?B=8007242&T=P&S=18
[30] Fading Footprints, Parker D and P
[31]https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Gallery151/dist/JGalleryViewer.aspx?B=8007242&S=14&N=18&R=0#/SearchNRetrieve/NAAMedia/ShowImage.aspx?B=8007242&T=P&S=18