Pte
Sydney Frederick France
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1896 |
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Place of birth: Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia |
General information
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Last known residence: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Profession: Grocer |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 4720 |
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Enlistment date: 24/01/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 17th Bn. (New South Wales) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 20/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Anzac, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 21 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: Bay 17 stone M |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private Sydney Frederick France enlisted, 19 years of age, together with his older brother Joseph Douglas on the 24th January 1916.
They were given consecutive regimental numbers in the 17th Battalion AIF, part of the 2nd Australian Division, 5th Brigade.
Sydney worked as grocer in the city of Sydney, New South Wales and was single.
20th September 1917 was the first day of the Battle of the Menin Road, part of the Battle of Passchendaele ( also known as the Third Battle of Ypres).
The 5th Australian Brigade attacked at 05.40 a.m. with the 20th Battalion and 18th Battalion in support; the 17th and 26th Battalions were in reserve.
The attack went well, although the left of the 20th Battalion met some resistance from a line of old concrete artillery shelters, causing a slight hold up. They went on to the first objective, but whilst attempting to consolidate, came under fire from two pillboxes 200 yards away. To save further casualties, these were dealt with on the spot.
The 18 Battalion took over the attack on the Blue Line, taking Iron Cross Redoubt and Anzac House in its stride.It was then forced to take Garter Point to prevent sniping on troops consolidating the Blue Line.
The third objective, the Green Line, was assaulted by the 17th and 28th Battalions supported by the 26th Battalion, and was taken easily.
An eye witness to Sydney’s death, Corporal J.V. Jacka stated to the Red Cross, “Syd France was a runner when our Battalion went over the top on the 20th. He was sitting in a trench when a shell burst on our parapet. A piece of shell struck him on the chin and caused the bone to be broken right away. He received immediate attention but died at the first dressing station. He would have been buried there. The exact position of the place I can’t tell you.”
Private Sydney Frederick France was only 21 years old, and although it states in his file that he was buried in the vicinity of Westhoek and Anzac Ridge, his remains were never found. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, bay 17 stone M.
His brother Joseph Douglas was also killed in action the same day, during the same Battle.
They were given consecutive regimental numbers in the 17th Battalion AIF, part of the 2nd Australian Division, 5th Brigade.
Sydney worked as grocer in the city of Sydney, New South Wales and was single.
20th September 1917 was the first day of the Battle of the Menin Road, part of the Battle of Passchendaele ( also known as the Third Battle of Ypres).
The 5th Australian Brigade attacked at 05.40 a.m. with the 20th Battalion and 18th Battalion in support; the 17th and 26th Battalions were in reserve.
The attack went well, although the left of the 20th Battalion met some resistance from a line of old concrete artillery shelters, causing a slight hold up. They went on to the first objective, but whilst attempting to consolidate, came under fire from two pillboxes 200 yards away. To save further casualties, these were dealt with on the spot.
The 18 Battalion took over the attack on the Blue Line, taking Iron Cross Redoubt and Anzac House in its stride.It was then forced to take Garter Point to prevent sniping on troops consolidating the Blue Line.
The third objective, the Green Line, was assaulted by the 17th and 28th Battalions supported by the 26th Battalion, and was taken easily.
An eye witness to Sydney’s death, Corporal J.V. Jacka stated to the Red Cross, “Syd France was a runner when our Battalion went over the top on the 20th. He was sitting in a trench when a shell burst on our parapet. A piece of shell struck him on the chin and caused the bone to be broken right away. He received immediate attention but died at the first dressing station. He would have been buried there. The exact position of the place I can’t tell you.”
Private Sydney Frederick France was only 21 years old, and although it states in his file that he was buried in the vicinity of Westhoek and Anzac Ridge, his remains were never found. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, bay 17 stone M.
His brother Joseph Douglas was also killed in action the same day, during the same Battle.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Joseph Douglas France
Brother |
Sources 8
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"Passchendaele, The Day-by-Day Account",McCarthy C., Arms&ArmourPress, London, 1995, page 80 + 82-83" Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/923589/sydney-frederick-france/ Sources used |
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Service Record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4033161 Sources used |
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The AIF Project https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=102935 Sources used |
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The Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=France&people_service_number=4720&people_unit= Sources used |
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The Long Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/2nd-australian-division/ Sources used |
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War Diary 17th Battalion https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1343929 Sources used |
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War Diary 5th Brigade https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1347529 Sources used |