Sydney Bernard Wilson Rea

Sydney Rea (Service No 43) was born in Sydney, N.S.W around 1893.

When Sydney enlisted at the age of 21 he was single, lived at Albion Park, N.S.W. and employed as a railway porter.

One of the first to enlist, Sydney embarked from Sydney on HMAT A14Euripides with A Squadron, 1st Field Ambulance on 20th October 1914.  The troops arrived in Egypt in December 1914, and Sydney was sent on to Gallipoli, serving from 25th April until the end of the Gallipoli campaign.

He returned to Egypt, and on 15th February 1916 was transferred to 14th Field Ambulance.

Sydney was promoted to Corporal on 23rd February 1916.  He was sent on to France, to serve with the 14th Field Ambulance, arriving on 25th June.

On 21st May 1917 he was promoted to Sergeant and on 7th July he was transferred to 2nd General Hospital.

Sydney continued to serve on the Western Front until he was returned to Australia in October 1918 for leave, having served continuously since the start of the war.  While he was on leave the war ended, and Sydney was discharged on 3rd February 1919.

In 1919 Sydney married Ethel Ancher and they had one child together.

Sydney's second wife was Ivy Angel whom he married in 1933.

Sydney died in 1973 at the age of 80.