Pte
Sydney Frederick France
Informatie over geboorte
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Geboortejaar: 1896 |
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Geboorteplaats: Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australië |
Algemene Informatie
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Laatst gekende woonplaats: Sydney, New South Wales, Australië |
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Beroep: Kruidenier |
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Geloof: Church of England |
Informatie legerdienst
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Land: Australië |
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Strijdmacht: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rang: Private |
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Service nummer: 4720 |
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Dienstneming datum: 24/01/1916 |
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Dienstneming plaats: Sydney, New South Wales, Australië |
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Eenheden: — Australian Infantry, 17th Bn. (New South Wales) (Laatst gekende eenheid) |
Informatie over overlijden
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Datum van overlijden: 20/09/1917 |
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Plaats van overlijden: Anzac, België |
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Doodsoorzaak: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Leeftijd: 21 |
Gedenkplaats
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Paneel: Bay 17 stone M |
Onderscheidingen en medailles 2
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British War Medal Medaille |
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Victory Medal Medaille |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Geboorteplaats | ||
| #2 | Laatst gekende woonplaats | ||
| #3 | Dienstneming plaats | ||
| #4 | 'Sterfteplaats' |
Mijn verhaal
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.
Connectie's met andere militairen 1
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Joseph Douglas France
Brother |
Bronnen 8
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"Passchendaele, The Day-by-Day Account",McCarthy C., Arms&ArmourPress, London, 1995, page 80 + 82-83" Gebruikte bronnen |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/923589/sydney-frederick-france/ Gebruikte bronnen |
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Service Record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4033161 Gebruikte bronnen |
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The AIF Project https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=102935 Gebruikte bronnen |
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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= Gebruikte bronnen |
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The Long Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/2nd-australian-division/ Gebruikte bronnen |
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War Diary 17th Battalion https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1343929 Gebruikte bronnen |
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War Diary 5th Brigade https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1347529 Gebruikte bronnen |