FOGG Sydney James

Sydney James Fogg was the second child of William Fogg and Margaret Emily Draper. His baby sister, Beatrice Margaret Fogg was born on 24 May 1903. Their mother died 2 days later and Beatrice only survived 20 days. They were buried together, and Margaret’s parents also share their grave at the Albany Creek Cemetery, Pine Rivers Memorial. William married Fanny Bell in 1905. Margaret and William’s first child was Gilbert Harold Fogg. He was a young man of 19 years and 4 months when he enlisted for the Great War on 25 January 1916 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He was allotted service number 1036 and embarked Sydney, New South Wales in May 1916. Gilbert was killed in action on 22 January 1917 in France and was buried at the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.

Sydney stated he was 18 years when he enlisted for the Great War on 22 January 1916 at Brisbane. He was in fact 15 years and 11 months, which raises the questions of why didn’t his father object? How did this boy pass as an adult? His occupation was a labourer at the time. Sydney stood 5 feet 7 ½ inches (171.5cm) tall and weighed 125 pounds (56.7kg). He was described as having a fair complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. Sydney had distinctive scars on both his legs. He noted his religion as Presbyterian. Sydney was of course single and listed his father, who was living at Samson Creek via Strathpine, Queensland at the time, as his next of kin.

On 22 July 1916, Trooper Sydney J. Fogg of 2 L.H.R. (Light Horse Regiment) boarded the RMS “Malwa” at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to serve his King and country. He was placed in the Isolation Camp at Moascar on 25 August and out to 1 L.H.T.R. (Light Horse Training Regiment) a month later. The following day, Sydney was admitted to 24 Sty. Hosp. (Stationary Hospital) with mumps. He was transferred to Isolation Camp in early October and discharged to 1 L.H.T.R. on 18 October 1916. Sydney marched out to Bir-el-Arnussi, Egypt and joined his regiment on 23 November 1916. He was admitted to 26 C.C.S. (Casualty Clearing Station) at Abbassia with caries dentine in mid-February 1917 and transferred to 24 Stat. Hosp. (Stationary Hospital) a few days later. Sydney was discharged to duty on 24 February and rejoined his unit on 27 February 1917.

In mid-May 1917, Sydney was admitted to 2 L.H.F.A. (Light Horse Field Ambulance), before being sent to 26 C.C.S. and transferred to Citadel Military Hospital at Cairo with rheumatism. He was transferred to 2 A.S.H. (Aust. Stationary Hospital), 54 C.C.S., where he was diagnosed with myalgia, and 24 Stat. Hosp., where he was diagnosed with inflamed joints, before being admitted to Con. Dep. (Convalescent Depot) at Abbassia for further treatment on 21 May 1917. Sydney was discharged to duty at the end of May 1917 and rejoined his regiment in early June at Kazar. He was admitted to 14 A.G.H. (Aust. General Hospital) at Cairo with diarrhoea in mid-November and transferred to the Con. Dep. on 29 November where he remained until his discharge on 04 December 1917 when he marched in to 1 L.H.T.R. at Moascar the next day.

On 13 February 1918, when Sydney was truly 18, he spent 10 days at the School of Instruction at Zeitoun, doing a Hotchkiss (B) Course then rejoined his regiment at the end of February. In early March, results from the school came back, marking him a 1st Class Gunman. On 26 May 1918, Sydney was at Div. (Divisional) School as Ntd. Orderly until he was admitted to 1 L.H.F.A. on 01 July 1918 with malaria. He was then admitted to 14 A.G.H. in late August with influenza. 10 days later, Sydney was discharged to Rest Camp at Moascar until 11 September 1918, when he marched in to 1 L.H.B.D. (Light Horse Base Depot) at Port Said. He was on his way back to his unit when he admitted to Anzac Hospital on 30 September with P.U.O. (pyrexia of unknown origin). After transferred to 36 Stat. Hosp. and 24 Stat. Hosp. in early October, Sydney was discharged to duty on 09 October 1918, and marched in to 1 L.H.B.D. the following day. He marched out to Rest Camp at Moascar on 12 October for 12 days of rest and back to 1 L.H.B.D. on 24 October. Sydney marched out to his unit on 07 November 1918, and rejoined 2 L.H.R. on 09 November 1918. He embarked Cairo aboard H.T. “Ulimaroa” on 13 March 1919 for his return home. Sydney arrived at Australia on 19 April 1919 and was discharged from the A.I.F. on 06 June 1919.

Sydney married Helen Stirling on 23 December 1924 in Queensland. Helen was born on 04 May 1903 at Landsborough, Queensland. She was the second child of William Andrew Stirling and Janet Ann Pickard. Sydney and Helen had 5 children together. Helen died on 17 June 1986.

Nambour (Maroochy Shire) Roll of Honor Scroll, Private Collection, Nambour (this scroll was available for sale to the public after the war)