Gunner Sydney Charles Neale: From Greece to Papua New Guinea

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Sydney Charles Neale volunteered for the Australian Militia Forces on 26th April 1938. He was a 33-year-old builder’s labourer, originally from Rutherglen, Victoria. He was married to Cecilia and living in Albury, NSW at the time of enlistment. He had prior military experience, having served in the 58th Battalion during military training in Rutherglen. Sydney was transferred from the 40th Battalion to the 58th Battalion on 23 August 1938 and later reassigned to the 24th Battalion HQ. The records show that he remained active in the militia until at least 30th September 1939, around the time the Second World War had officially begun.

However, Sydney did not join the 2nd Australian Imperial Force until 4th June 1940 – the final day of the Battle of Dunkirk – which may have influenced his decision, given that nothing stood between the seemingly unstoppable Wehrmacht and Britain. Although he was at a relatively advanced age for military service (35 and a half), Sydney’s prior experience would have been invaluable among the ranks of young men with no military background whatsoever.

Sydney was taken on strength on 1st July 1940, first in the 3rd Infantry Training Regiment and later in the 24th Infantry Training Regiment. By 11th November 1940, he had been promoted to a temporary Sergeant, although when he was posted to the 2/8th Field Regiment later that month he reverted to the rank of Gunner. By 5th February 1941, he was heading overseas aboard a transport ship. He arrived in the Middle East in March, a couple of months after the great Australian and Allied victories at Bardia and Tobruk, but just in time for the Greek Campaign, which would prove far less successful.

By April 1941, ANZAC and British forces were overwhelmed by the rapid advance of the Wehrmacht. The 2/1st Field Regiment, which Sydney had just been transferred to, was heavily involved in supporting retreating forces. The 2/1st was an Artillery Regiment, equipped with 25-pounder field guns. Sydney was part of a small team of gun crew members, handling ammunition, loading, aiming and firing the gun, coordinating their actions during combat. In Greece this meant providing close support to infantry units. The 2/1st fought in the Battle of Brallos Pass, a critical engagement that allowed the Allied forces to withdraw to the next defensive line.

Sydney was among those evacuated from Greece, but the ship he was on, the SS Costa Rica, was sunk by German aircraft. The destroyer that rescued them took them to Crete. Here Sydney found himself a part of the defensive fighting on the island after German paratroopers landed, followed by another evacuation, reaching Alexandria on 30th May 1941. He was then stationed in the Middle East, where he continued serving in artillery operations until 12th March 1942, when he embarked for Ceylon, arriving on the 28th of the same month. In August 1942, he disembarked in Melbourne via S.S. Westerdam.

However, Sydney did not stay in Australia long. After a month, he was on the move again. He embarked on a transport ship in Brisbane on 16th September 1942 and arrived in Port Moresby a week later. Here, he was to take part in the Papuan Campaign, but in a different role. As of 2nd December 1942, he was graded as a Group III Equipment Repairer. This new duty entailed maintaining and repairing artillery and other military equipment, among other tasks.

By 17th August 1943, Sydney had either suffered an injury or succumbed to an illness (possibly malaria, which was rampant among Australian troops in Papua New Guinea), leading to his evacuation from active service with the 2/2nd Field Ambulance. He was transferred to New South Wales, where he received treatment at a military medical facility. His condition warranted another medical transfer on 20th December 1943, indicating the likelihood of a severe or chronic medical issue.

On 29th December 1943, he was reassigned to a more specialised non-combat role, working in Gas Equipment Repair. This reassignment was likely due to medical limitations, indicating that he was no longer fit for front-line service. However, his military obligations continued, and he remained attached to various units throughout 1944.

By 5th September 1945, as the war was drawing to a close, Sydney was medically discharged at Royal Park, Melbourne. His service officially ended on 9th October 1945, when he was formally discharged. At the time he was 40 years of age and had spent 1,927 days in uniform, 1,146 of which were outside Australia. His post-war medical status suggests that he likely suffered lasting effects from his wartime experiences. He was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Active Service Medal.

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