Caudle, PTE Sydney James

Sydney James Caudle (1898-1973), farm hand & soldier, was born in Beverley, Wheatbelt, WA, to Sydney and Johanna Caudle. His father came to Beverley as a young man from South Australia and initially worked as a farm hand. During Sydney’s early life, his father was fortunate enough to buy his own small farm.

When the Great War broke out, Sydney was too young to fight overseas so he joined the Australian Army Reserve and was posted to the 25th Light Horse Regiment. In October 1916, he enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force at the age of 18 and was posted to the 8th Reinforcements, 44th Australian Infantry Battalion. He embarked for overseas service in December and arrived at the front lines in July 1917.

Sydney was shot in the wrist in October 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele and had to spend 7 weeks in hospital and 8 months recovering in depots. He returned to the front lines in July 1918 but only fought for another 2 months before being sent to hospital sick until the end of the war.

During the war, Sydney fought in 9 battles and spent 162 days in the trenches.

After the war, Sydney married Sarah Norwood and had two sons in the late 1920s, Stanley & Sydney.

Sydney died in East Coolgardie in 1973 at the age of 75.

CHARGES

Charged in December 1917 with a minor offence.

Regimental Number:
2800

Subunit:
8th Reinforcements, 44th Battalion

Enlistment Date:
14th October 1916

Age at Enlistment:
18 Years, 2 Months

Birthplace:
Beverley, Wheatbelt, Western Australia

Ethnicity:
British Australian

Religion:
Roman Catholic

Residence:
Beverley, Wheatbelt, WA

Height and Measurements:
5"8

Occupation at Enlistment:
Farm Hand

Married:
No

Next of Kin:
Father - Sydney James Caudle (Beverley, Wheatbelt, WA)

Previous Service:
Yes - 25th Light Horse Regiment (4 Months)

Total Service:
14th October 1916 - 2nd July 1919

Overseas Service:
29th December 1916 - 2nd July 1919

Front Line Service:
9th July 1917 - 15th October 1917, 10th July 1918 - 12th September 1918 (98)

Battle Honours:
9: Messines 1917, Ypres 1917, Passchendaele, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Amiens, Albert 1918, France and Flanders 1916 - 1918

Casualty:

Yes – Wounded in Action (15th October 1917, gunshot wound to the left wrist during the Battle of Passchendaele, 7 weeks in hospital, 8 months before returning to the front lines). Sick thrice – 28th March 1917 (Sick with Mumps, 3 Weeks). (September 1918, Sick for 10 weeks). (May 1919, Sick, 2 for 2 weeks).)

Awards:
British War Medal, Victory Medal, Wound Stripe, Active Service Badge, 1 Good Conduct Stripe, 2 Long Service Stripes