Sidney Henderson Treyvaud
Stephen LearmonthSidney Henderson Treyvaud was born in Geelong, Victoria, on 24 January 1893 to Hector Henderson Treyvaud and Matilda, nee Rollins. He had four siblings, three brothers and one sister. In March 1898, Hector was promoted from Head Teacher at Cudgewa State School to Head Teacher at Longwood State School.
On 27 October 1915, Sidney enlisted in the 1st Signal Troop of the 1st Light Horse Regiment at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, Sidney was a 22-year-old clerk, 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) tall and weighed 10 stone 7 lbs (67 kg). He had blue eyes, light brown hair and a fresh complexion. He nominated Methodist as his religious denomination. Sidney had nominated his father as his next of kin, who lived at 4 Grice Street in Essendon, Victoria. He was allocated the Regimental Number 1676
On 27 October, 1915, Sapper Treyvaud embarked on the HMAT A38 Ulysses bound for Egypt. The Ulysses weighed 14,499 tons and had an average cruising speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the China Mutual SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 15 August, 1917.
On 1 April 1917, Sidney was promoted to temporary Corporal whilst performing motorcycle duties for the Australian Mounted Division. On 14 June 1918, while performing these duties, he was mentioned in dispatches by General Sir E. H. H. Allenby for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty. Two years later, in 1920, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. His citation read;
“For gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations in the Jordan Valley and Amman area from July to October, 1918, when, as a dispatch rider, he showed great tenacity of purpose and set a magnificent example of coolness under fire.”
He returned to Australia on the HMAT Malta, disembarking at the Port of Melbourne on 7 September 1919. He was finally discharged on 5 October, 1919.
In addition to the Distinguished Conduct Medal and being mentioned in Despatches, Sidney was also awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service during the war.
On 11 September 1920, Sidney married Dorothy Eileen Brown in Sydney, New South Wales. Records indicate they had two children during their marriage: a boy and a girl. Electoral rolls also indicate that the family resided in Brighton, Victoria, between 1925 and approximately 1953 (where Sidney worked as an insurance clerk), and in Caulfield East, Victoria, between 1963 and 1971.
Sidney passed away at the age of 78 on 14 February, 1971, at Heidelberg, Victoria and was buried in the Springvale Cemetery.
