Sidney Francis Till
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Tottenham, England |
| Death | 29 Jul 1947, aged 64 |
| Place of Death | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 33 years, 5 months |
| Description | 5' 3½" (1.61m) tall; weight 108 lbs (49 kg); fair complexion, blue eyes, fair hair; top of little finger of right hand missing. |
| Occupation | farm labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | c/- Mr A Briggs, Armadale, Western Australia* |
| Next of Kin | Mother Mrs Alice Till |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5106 |
| Date of Enlistment | 10 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement / 7th Brigade, 2nd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Jul 1916 - 9 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A48 Seang Bee |
| Date of Return | 12 Dec 1918 - 18 Jan 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Nestor |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 9 Aug 1918 at Lions Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Armadale (West Armadale panel) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries - 1909 at 57 John street, Fremantle a groom; 1912 - 1916 Wongong Brook, a farm labourer
War Service
Original training received at the Helena Vale Camp before being allocated to the 13th replacement draft for the 28th Battalion on 4 Apr 1916.
On arrival in England Sid was sent to the 7th Training Battalion at Rolleston to prepare for service in France and Belgium.
He proceeded to France from Folkestone on the HMT Victoria, and taken on strength of the 28th Battalion in France on 4 Dec 1916. On 28 Jan 1917 he was charged with appearing on parade unshaven and with dirty ammunition, and awarded 48 hours Field Punishment. On 6 June 1917 he reported to the 5th Australian Field Ambulance before being passed to the 56th Casualty Clearing Station, who placed him on a hospital train to Rouen where he was admitted on 9 Jul 1917 to the No 11 Stationary Hospital. On the 26th he embarked for England on HMHS St George, to be admitted to the Devonport Military Hospital with pyrexia of unknown origin.
As his health improved he was moved to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford after which he enjoyed a fortnight's furlough.
On 27 Dec 1917 he embarked again for France ex Longbridge-Deverill, and rejoined the 28th Battalion on 4 Jan 1918. On 4 May 1918 he absented himself from a billeted area, which was serious enough to earn him 20 days Field Punishment, and the loss of 15 days pay.
At 4:35 am on 9 Aug 1917, Sid was amongst the men of the 28th Battalion that commenced an attack on the ruined village of Lihons in support of the Canadians on their right. The battalion's objective was more than 3,000 metres away, but by 6:55am it had been reached, and they were then relieved by the 26th and 27th Battalions at 8:00am. Sid's wounds (Shell Wound to right thigh) had been received before that time.
He was first assessed by the 8th Australian Field Ambulance, and the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station before being placed on a hospital train for Boulogne, where on 14 Aug 1918 Sid was evacuated on the HS Stad Antwerpen to England.
In England he was admitted to the Essex County Hospital in Colchester before transferring to the 3rd Auxiliary hospital Dartford to rebuild his strength.
Invalided home on 12 Dec 1918, and discharged at 5th Military District on 2 Mar 1919.
Mentioned in the 1917 Feb-Mar edition of The drill of the Foot-Hills which calls him Samuel F.. "overseas with the 28th Battalion.".
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1919 - 1925 Wongong Brook, a farm labourer; 1931 - 1943 c/- Briggs, Eighth road, Armadale. It would appear that he worked for Briggs for more then 30 years.
Notes
Sid is buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery.
- A Briggs is listed as a farmer in the Post Office Directory of the time.